Sunday Times Magazine Sunday 14, January 2017

January 14, 2018

Star Times Hollywood:

Meghan Markle apparently Page 14 bought the Queen a hilarious Christmas present FREE DISTRIBUTION

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Inside

Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystems

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Women in Business Expo

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JANUARY 14, 2018

Feature

Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystems

A few members of GSBE

GSBE members promoting its conservation work at the IV IBG Congress 2016 - Guyana

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he Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystems (GSBE) is a non-governmental, charitable, non-profit body established to promote conservation, research and wise management of biological diversity and ecosystems in Guyana and the wider Guiana Shield through its affiliation with partner associations in the region.

About 16 years ago, the conceptualisation of the region-wide Guiana Shield biodiversity movement occurred at a Priority Setting Workshop in Paramaribo, Suriname. The meeting involved a dedicated group of scientists from the International Conservation Union of the Netherlands (IUCN), Conservation International Guyana (CIGuyana) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). One of the key decisions taken at the meeting was that a biennial congress on biodiversity of the Guiana Shield should be held along with the establishment an IBG. To date four congresses were held, the last being in Guyana in August, 2015.

At the Third Congress IBG Congress held in Paramaribo, Suriname in 2013, a decision was taken that the Fourth Congress would be held in Guyana to coincide with the coun-

try's 50th independence anniversary. The decision to host the IV Congress in Guyana led to the formation of a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and subsequently Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystem (GSBE). In essence, therefore, the GSBE is an outgrowth of the IBG and the work it had put in place.

Currently, GSBE is involved in two projects. The Triple A Initiative Project, which involves collaboration with the Guiana Shield countries (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and Fr. Guiana), is intended to focus on the sociological/ anthropological/environmental issues affecting primarily indigenous communities.

Secondly, conducting a preliminary survey of research on the status of freshwater ecosystems in Guyana.

The purpose of this study is to provide a background for a much larger study on freshwater in collaboration with other stakeholders in Guyana.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, GSBE’s Chairman, Dr. Patrick Williams, said the organisation was established to achieve the following: Host the IV IBG Congress in Guyana in 2015; develop partnership with local, regional and in-

ternational organisations in pursuit of biodiversity conservation; conduct fundraising activities to further the work of GSBE; embrace and support nationally-driven initiatives with respect biodiversity and other related conservation initiatives; provide support for education and awareness initiatives in the area of biodiversity conservation; undertake joint research initiatives with partners and disseminate information on biodiversity; support regional initiatives on biodiversity in the context of the wider Guiana Shield region; and provide leadership na-

tionally in the area of biodiversity conservation.

“Our membership is quite small, but it is our intention to expand on this as one of our priorities for 2018. Because we believe that biodiversity conservation does not begin and end with scientists only, GSBE is focused on establishing a multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary organisation.

This would include natural scientists, social scientists and others that bring together biologists (flora and fauna specialists), geographers (geomorphologists, climatologists, social scientists (anthropologists, sociologists et al). Additionally, membership of GSBE is open to university students, practicing scientists, and or-

ganisations. There is also room for associate membership.

Membership comes with the completion of a membership form and an annual fee which varies depending upon the category of membership,” Williams explained.

Over the years GSBE has hosted a highly successful congress in 2015 where over 125 scientific papers were presented by from all across the Guiana Shield and beyond; published a book of abstracts covering the presentations made at the IV Congress, including speeches from His Excellency Brigadier David Arthur Granger and keynote speakers; participated in a number of regional environmental conservation initiatives,

A past conference highlights conservation activities being done in Guyana

one of which led to the development of the Kurupukari Action Plan, which also provided proposal for regional collaboration and conservation initiatives; ongoing collaboration with partners in the Guiana Shield on the development of a project proposal referred to as the Triple A Initiative (Andes/ Amazon/Atlantic); and funded a desk review project on the status of Guyana's freshwater ecosystem.

GSBE is currently assisting in the preparation of documents, as is the case of the other countries, in support of the development of a project proposal that is expected to attract a ten-year funding cycle on indigenous issues for the region.

The organisation hopes to increase collaboration with other organisations with interests in biodiversity conservation; forge greater regional and international links; undertake vigorous fund-raising activities; increase the profile of the organisation, actively participate in special designated events such as World Environment Day and World Biodiversity Day; play a greater role in promoting biodiversity education and awareness; and collaborate with various stakeholders in pursuit of Guyana's Green Development Agenda.

For more information on the organisation’s work, visit Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystems on Facebook.

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JANUARY 14, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

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Feature

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Friendly wager on American football results in support of jaguar conservation in Guyana

hile American football may not be very popular in Guyana, some Guyanese were watching the outcome of last week’s firstround playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars (Florida, USA) and Buffalo Bills (New York, USA) very closely.

In the spirit of friendly competition, and to celebrate both teams gaining NFL playoff berths for the first time in many years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Florida) teamed up with the Buffalo Zoo (New York) for a friendly wager with the goal of bringing attention to two conservation projects that the zoos are passionate about. One of those projects operates right here in Guyana and just happens to share its focus with one of the team’s mascots.

The bet

The wager was simple. If the Buffalo Bills won, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens would make a contribution to the North American Bison Coalition in addition to supplying the Buffalo Zoo with chocolate-covered popcorn (a local delicacy). The American Bison Coalition brings together an assortment of conservationists including Native America tribes, educators, and zoos in an effort to raise awareness of this iconic species in North America.

If Jacksonville won, the Buffalo Zoo would contribute to the Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit, as well as sending sponge candy (its local delicacy) to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

The Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit is

a coalition of researchers working to increase understanding and inform the management of some of Guyana’s most iconic species, including jaguars.

Imagining a matchup of North and South America’s quintessential species, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens' Executive Director Tony Vecchio felt confident backing his hometown jaguars, saying “as a trained zoologist, it is clear to me that a jaguar would have no trouble taking down a bison.” However, Buffalo Zoo President/CEO, Norah Fletchall, was not intimidated countering with “a jaguar may be fast and cunning, but stands little chance against a herd of well-built and winter-hardy bison.”

The North American bison (Bison bison) is the continent’s largest land mam-

American bison showing support for their hometown Buffalo Bills at the Buffalo Zoo

From left: Felix Holden (Yupukari), Matt Hallett (University of Florida), and Andrew Albert (Karasabai) sporting hats and shirts donated by the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, and University of Florida bookstore

mal, with mature bulls standing more than 2 meters tall, over 3.5 meters long, and weighing up to 2,000 pounds. Despite their massive size, bison can run more than 60 KPH, jump approximately 2 meters high, and thundering herds running shoulder-to-shoulder move in unison to evade predators. The North American bison has become the symbol of conservation in the US and was named ‘America’s National Mammal’ in 2016.

A conservation success story, bison populations have rebounded within protected areas following significant declines in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. An estimated 20-30 million individuals once roamed the American savannahs before conversion of native prairies to agriculture and extreme overharvest reduced their numbers to 1,091 individu-

als in 1889. Today, approximately 30,000 wild bison exist in conservation herds, with about 5,000 roaming unfenced and disease free across the American plains as their ancestors once did.

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is Guyana’s national animal, the largest cat in the Americas, and perhaps, pound for pound, the most powerful big cat in the world. Jaguars are efficient and effective hunters that are renowned for their stealth and power. Their ability to stalk in silence, attack with a single leap, and produce an amazing bite force relative to their weight allowed them to subdue prey much larger than themselves. Though they are the animal most often associated with the dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon and Guiana Shield, jaguars inhabit a wide variety of habitats, including wetlands, swamps, coastal forests, scrub, savannahs, and desert from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina.

Deforestation has resulted in about 50% reduction in the jaguar’s native range in the last 100 years and retaliatory killing following predation of livestock threatens remaining populations.

Guyana remains a stronghold for South America’s most iconic species thanks to its high percentage of forest cover and active conservation efforts in the interior.

The game

Iwokrama staff show their support for the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of last Sunday's game at their office in Georgetown

In front of their home crowd at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, the Jaguars outlasted the Bills in an oldschool, low scoring game between two very talented defenses.

The game’s only touchdown came late in the third quarter when, with the score tied 3-3 and fac-

ing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Jaguars QB Blake Bortles found TE Ben Koyack in the back of the end zone with a gutsy pass at a critical moment. That score was all the Jaguars stout defense would need, sacking the quarterback twice, and forcing two turnovers, including the game clinching interception by CB Jalen Ramsey that kept the final score at 10-3.

The close game kept Jaguars’ fans, and jaguar researchers, at the edge of their seats. Said Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit (RWRU) founder, Dr. Matt Hallett, “I was always confident that the Jags would pull it out in the end, but I’m not going to lie and say that wasn’t nervous there for a bit … as a north-central Florida resident I was happy to see the local team win, but I’m even more grateful that the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens and the Buffalo Zoo the game as an opportunity to raise awareness of important conservation efforts. The American Bison Coalition is doing amazing work with one of my favorite North American species, but of course, I’m thrilled that the wager will ultimately generate some benefits for our talented and hard-working research teams in the Rupununi.”

Asked whether or not the game reflected a match-up of their wild counterparts as predicted by the CEO’s of the two zoos, Hallett replied, “Ironically the low scoring nature of the game actually more closely resembled the methodical pack-hunting style of one of Guyana’s other wild carnivores, the bush dog (Speothos venaticus), which utilizes stamina to outlast and eventually overtake its prey.” continued on page 4

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Sunday Times Magazine

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JANUARY 14, 2018

Feature

‘The Phoenix Letters’

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

e quite often think if we could turn back the hands of time, we would do a lot of things differently. For Guyanese author, Soshinie Singh, it is no different. Her recent book, “The Phoenix Letters”, is a compilation of letters she has written to her younger self. These letters are from deep within, as she writes about love, life, laughter, sadness and time.

What began as an Instagram project has now matured into two beautiful books, “The Phoenix Letters” and “The Phoenix Letters Return”.

Reading the “Phoenix Letters”, I was transposed

to my childhood and the challenges of growing up.

For Soshinie, she believes that there is a very thin line between teenage years and adulthood.

“Being an adult, we have more responsibilities, but when it comes to relationships, the bumpy road can almost be similar. It is when the roadblocks occur that the major differences can be seen. We lose friendships, lovers, everyone we categorised as ‘dear’; we may lose them at any stage. However, our experiences may not necessarily be at the same stage in life,” she said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

The 24-year-old author is a former student of

the Bishops’ High School and is currently studying Information Systems and Operation Management at the George Mason University in Virginia.

She lived a simple life and was raised in Albertown.

According to her, simplicity and love for her parents are what kept her going during challenges. She noted that inspiration comes daily from her parents and sisters.

The “Phoenix Letters” series reminds us of how far we have come, how much further we have to go and where we are presently.

Soshinie explained when she began writing the “Phoenix Letters” at age 21 her aim was to keep writing and to discover how much

Book covers

she has learned up to that point. Initially, she shared her letters on Instagram and friends, and was astounded as to the difference they were making in people’s lives.

“I began my journey of writing poetry in my midteens, so a lot of my experiences are still fresh (since I am only in my early 20s).

Over the years, writing has proven to be my reprieve; a place where I can escape into my thoughts and study myself. It has been a place where I can assess how far along I have come and how far I am willing to go. I have often been told that there is something that resides in me, and yet no one has been able to give further explanation. As I began writing this series of letters, I intended to write for myself.

However, I slowly realised that I was writing for many people as well. I was their voice, too. I hope I was able to touch you, inspire you and enlighten you with these letters. Thank you for being on this journey with me,” the author expressed in her book.

The paperback edition is available at Barnes and Noble and through Book Depository, which provides free worldwide shipping and also on Amazon for US$9.99 and US$10.99.

Soshinie hopes to get her books to Guyana in the near future so that she can speak to the average Guyanese teens who are going through the same things she experienced as a teenager.

Soshinie Singh

“The Phoenix Letters” series takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride as Soshinie talks about how to use experiences to humble yourself, about feeling ugly, being gullible, and about indifference. The 50 letters in the series transport you into the mind of Soshinie and make you reflect on your own journey, something we quite often forget.

An extract from one of the letters (“Letter #4 Equality”) reads: “Open your eyes and see what is right before you.

You should never think that you are above or below anyone else. There are equal opportunities existing for all to share. They are just about a

mean and a motivation. Do you witness the relationship that the sun and the moon share? Do you pay attention to them? You learnt in school that the moon has no light of its own and it is the sun's light that we see reflected. Does it not tell you something? Though, the sun is the fiercest epitome of light, it does not think itself better than its counterpart, the moon. It shares, it motivates and it embraces the moon as an equal. This intimate light and dark makes love to the universe and you can do this too. Move your mind and make someone else shine.”

from page 3

Conservation benefits The Rupununi is widely considered the most biodiverse region of Guyana and the indigenous Makushi and Wapichan people who inhabit the region have served as its stewards for millennia. The wealth of biodiversity and natural resources that persist there today are the direct result of their traditional management systems and continued commitment to sustainable use.

However, the Rupununi is currently facing dramatic social, economic, and environmental change, resulting from exposure to technology and global culture, demand from, and access to, global markets, and a changing global climate.

The overarching goal of the RWRU is to equip Rupununi communities with tools, strategies, and structures to deal with their rapidly changing world, allowing them to continue the legacy of stewardship set by previous generations. They team up with indigenous hunters, farmers, and fish-

erman from across the region, providing training and employment opportunities with the goal of generating a greater understanding of the distribution and abundance of jaguars and their prey.

Large mammals fit as the focus of their work, as they are provide critical services at a variety of scales. Globally, large mammals are naturally rare, play important roles in ecosystems, are sensitive to disturbance, and are the majestic and regal or cute and cuddly animals that we all love. Locally, large mammals may prey on livestock or pets (jaguars, puma), damage crops (deer, agouti, peccaries), and are targeted for food (peccaries, labba, tapir, deer). Bringing together the traditional and scientific knowledge has allowed the RWRU to generate a wealth of data and co-develop new questions that they did not even know they had when they began.

The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has been providing financial support to the Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit for the past three years,

and supporting conservation initiatives in Guyana since 2008.

Conservation is a priority for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the Buffalo Zoo, as well as all institutions that belong to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Collectively, AZA institutions supported about USD$216,000,000 worth of field conservation efforts in 2016. The Buffalo Zoo and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens directly contribute to the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats through both species-specific and habitat-focused conservation projects.

The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Heinz Field this week to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in their second-round playoff matchup. No word yet on whether the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has reached out to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for another friendly wager for the sake of conservation.

Follow Rupununi

Kanuku Mountains rangers cheer the Jaguars on at the Protected Areas Commission office in Lethem

Wildlife Research Unit on Facebook, rupununiwildlife on Instagram, @RupWildlife on Twitter, or subscribe to their Rupununi Wildlife

channel on YouTube. (By JJ Vitale, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens; Christian Dobosiewicz, The Buffalo Zoo; and Matt Hallett,

Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit. Cover photo: A jaguar roars following the Jaguars’ win last Sunday)

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Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

Women in Business Expo

promised.

The expo’s theme last year was, “Be Bold For Change”;

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Crafters showcase local talent at a past Women in Business Expo

he Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA), in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), invites the public on an empowering journey at the third annual ‘Women in Business Expo’.

The highly-anticipated event is scheduled for March 10-11, 2018 at the Pegasus Hotel to mark International World’s Women Day. The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1908 when a group of 15,000 women marched on the streets of New York, demanding their rights. Since then, every year on March 8, the world joins hands together to support, raise, inspire and motivate women across all fields of work. The purpose of this day is to focus on various themes such as innovation, business the portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities.

Over the years the expo attracted farmers, environmentalists, up-cyclers and recycling crafters, event planners, artists, immigration consultants, barristers, fashion designers, wood crafters, body and hair care consultants and others.

Last year’s Women in Business Expo, there was a large contingent of indigenous women who came all the way from various hinterland regions, and it is hoped this year is no different.

“We want to construct a different world of work for women. As they grow up, girls must be exposed to a broad range of careers, and encouraged to make choices that lead beyond the tradition-

al service and care options to jobs in industry, art, public service, modern agriculture and science,” UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said.

SNFCA and WASD have been executing philanthropic projects over the years that contributed significantly to adding value to people and assist in building strong, confident, intelligent and empowered women who are committed to the task of building a progressive society.

Some of the pre-events are health, business and technology forums, networking events such as ‘Charting Your Course’ (networking event), ‘Inspire You’ (motivation event), ‘An Evening with Sherry Dixon’, tea parties and fashion shows, and book signing. Apart from motivational events, workshops, exhibitions and networking events, an ‘Expo Booklet’ will be distributed for free to the public at the event. It will feature exhibitors and partners.

The expo has had numerous success stories over the years where small businesses benefited tremendously through their participation in the event. One such entity is local craft/fashion company, Rave Designs - Deborah Mathias.

“Other than the wonderful interaction with some very strong and amazingly focused women, being at the expo has encouraged me to renew my commitment to my business and at a personal level I came to understand that I am a very important part of my brand,” Deborah Mathias expressed.

Entrance to the expo is free and daily entertainment and giveaways for patrons are

A creative booth at a past Women in Business Expo

this year’s is: “Press For Progress”.

Registration for exhibi-

tion spaces closes at the end of January.

For more information

on the expo, visit Women's Association for Sustainable Development on Facebook.

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Travel and Tourism

View of the mountains from a hill in Imbaimadai

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Arriving in Imbaimadai

mbaimadai is a small mining town deep in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region of Region Seven founded by miners.

It is not only well-known for its gold, diamond and other precious mineral deposits, but for its majestic mountains, being part of the Pakaraima range along the Guiana Highlands, its hundreds of miles of jungle, and its cold nights and steamy days.

Possessing natural richness throughout, Imbaimadai offers exciting adventures to nature lovers. (Photos by Sam Rich on Flickr)

Scenic view of the waterfalls The Police Station

A child playing in a tree nearby to the school

Cascading waterfalls upriver of Imbaimadai

Getting to Imbaimadai via the Mazaruni River

Imbaimadai Primary School

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Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

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etanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are very serious diseases. Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases. And, Tdap vaccine given to pregnant women can protect newborn babies against pertussis.

Tetanus (Lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness, usually all over the body.

It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 10 people who are infected even after receiving the best medical care.

Diphtheria can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting, and disturbed sleep.

It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, which

could include pneumonia or death.

These diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person through secretions from coughing or sneezing. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Tdap vaccine Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. People who did not get Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible.

Tdap is especially important for health care professionals and anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months.

Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every preg-

nancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.

Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. A Td booster should be given ev-

ery 10 years. Tdap may be given as one of

these boosters if you have never gotten Tdap before. Tdap may also be given after a severe cut or burn to prevent tetanus infection.

Your doctor or the person giving you the vaccine can give you more information.

Tdap may safely be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Some people should not get this vaccine A person who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of any diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis containing vaccine, OR has a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, should not get Tdap vaccine. Tell the person giving the vaccine about any severe allergies.

Anyone who had coma or long repeated seizures within 7 days after a childhood dose of DTP or DTaP, or a previous dose of Tdap, should not get Tdap, unless a cause

other than the vaccine was found.

They can still get Td. Talk to your doctor if you have seizures or another nervous system problem, had severe pain or swelling after any vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis, ever had a condition called Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS), aren’t feeling well on the day the shot is scheduled.

What if there is a serious problem?

What should I look for?

Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor. (www.cdc.gov)

E. Coli Deaths Linked to Romaine Lettuce, Officials Say

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aming addiction is to be listed as a mental health condition for the first time by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Its 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD) will include the condition "gaming disorder".

The draft document describes it as a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour so severe that it takes "precedence over other life interests".

Some countries had already identified it as a major public health issue.

Many, including the UK, have private addiction clinics to "treat" the condition.

The last version of the ICD was completed in 1992, with the new guide due to be published in 2018.

The guide contains codes for diseases, signs and symptoms and is used by doctors and researchers to track and diagnose disease.

It will suggest that abnormal gaming behaviour should be in evidence over a period of at least 12 months "for a diagnosis to be assigned" but added that period might be shortened "if symptoms are severe".

Symptoms include: impaired control over gaming (frequency, intensity, duration); increased priority given to gaming; continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences.

Dr Richard Graham, lead technology addiction specialist at the Nightingale Hospital in London, welcomed the decision to recognise the condition.

"It is significant because it creates the opportunity for more specialised services. It puts it on the map as something to take seriously."

But he added that he would have sym-

pathy for those who do not think the condition should be medicalised.

"It could lead to confused parents whose children are just enthusiastic gamers."

He said he sees about 50 new cases of digital addiction each year and his criteria is based on whether the activity is affecting basic things such as sleep, eating, socialising and education.

He said one question he asked himself was: "Is the addiction taking up neurological real-estate, dominating thinking and preoccupation?"

Many psychiatrists refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the fifth edition of which was published in 2013.

In that, internet gaming disorder is listed as a "condition for further study", meaning it is not officially recognised.

A recent study from the University of Oxford suggested that, although children spend a lot of time on their screens, they generally managed to intertwine their digital pastimes with daily life.

The research - looking at children aged eight to 18 - found that boys spent longer playing video games than girls.

Researcher Killian Mullan said: "People think that children are addicted to technology and in front of these screens 24/7, to the exclusion of other activities - and we now know that is not the case."

"Our findings show that technology is being used with and in some cases perhaps to support other activities, like homework for instance, and not pushing them out," he added.

"Just like we adults do, children spread their digital tech use throughout the day, while doing other things." (BBC)

t least two people were killed and dozens sickened by E. coli outbreaks in Canada and the United States that the authorities in Canada have linked to romaine lettuce.

Health officials in the United States are not yet ready to blame the American outbreak to the leafy green. Still, they say, the Canadian finding has proved helpful and both outbreaks appear to have been caused by related strains of the bacteria, suggesting the possibility of a shared source.

“They’ve done a really thorough job there, and I think that gave us a really good clue to start with,” Dr. Matthew Wise, who oversees investigations into such outbreaks for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a telephone interview on Friday.

In all, at least 58 people in both countries have been sickened, and two — one in

ing information on the outbreak. Consumer Reports, the nonprofit advocacy organization, said it was urging shoppers to avoid the lettuce as a precaution.

“Even though we can’t say with 100 percent certainty that romaine lettuce is the cause of the E. coli outbreak in the U.S., a greater degree of caution is appropriate given that lettuce is almost always consumed raw,” James Rogers, the director of Food Safety and Research, said in a post on the group’s website.

The widespread nature of the American outbreak suggests that the cause was not limited to a restaurant or particular area, Dr. Wise said.

“When we see this pattern of illnesses, we certainly would default to thinking that this was a commercially distributed product that was contaminated,” he said.

Symptoms of E. coli infection include fe-

California and one in Canada — have died.

In the United States, the C.D.C. has so far linked at least 17 reports of illness in 13 states to the outbreak.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said in a statement last week that it was investigating 41 cases of illnesses linked to E. coli from November and December.

Most of those patients reported eating romaine lettuce before they became ill, the agency said, adding, “Individuals reported eating romaine lettuce at home, as well as in prepared salads purchased at grocery stores, restaurants and fast food chains.”

American officials have not yet issued recommendations to avoid any particular product because they are still collect-

ver, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and, less commonly, a syndrome that can lead to kidney failure. In such outbreaks, young and older people and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to have the most severe symptoms.

E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, live in human and animal intestines and can contaminate fruits and vegetables when they come in contact with feces from infected animals, according to the Public Health Agency.

That contamination can happen at any point along the journey from farm to table. Most E. coli strains are harmless to humans. (New York Times)

10 Sunday Times Magazine Fashion

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JANUARY 14, 2018

S-Wave Bob - This above-the-shoulders ‘do is fresh and versatile. Selena Gomez’s natural texture creates a soft “S-Wave” that adds soft texture and dimension. Taking diagonal sections and using 1-1/4 inch curling iron, wave hair in the form of an ‘S' taking small sections. Make a deep side part to create illusion of side fringe. This look appears to be on the wet and crunchy side, so you can opt to use a stronger more polish/shine base finish hairspray. This works best for medium to fine hair.

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Long, Layered Lob - This cut hits just below the shoulders and incorporates long, subtle layers throughout to create lightness and texture. The long and angled bang adds a slight asymmetry and softens the face. Kerry Washington’s hair is soft, voluminous, and ultra-shiny. For a similar effect, wash with your favourite shampoo and conditioner, apply a heat protecting blowout cream and blow dry. Most people can wear this long-layered bob.

ew year, new 'do! Before you run off to the stylist's chair, take a look at these trendy haircuts that are destined to be ‘it’ styles for 2018. Below are tips on who these cuts work best for and how to style them once you leave the salon. Whether you're in a "go bold" kind of mood or want to keep things subtle, you've got plenty of options here.

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elow are tips on mixing patterns so you know how to wear stripes and checks without looking like a walking migraine.

Some men play it safe and avoid patterns, even though they may love them. But these are doable once you follow the rules.

The first rule of thumb is to flip proportions - so if you have a bold check make sure the stripe is subtle. The second is to keep it tonal without falling into the trap of being too "matchy-matchy".

The third rule is not to go mad.

Keep it simple with the rest of the outfit, such as shoes, bag and scarf.

Designer Buzz Cut - This style is short and close to the scalp at the nape with a slightly loose texture on top. After your favourite shampoo and conditioner, spritz a beach texturizing spray on damp or dry hair to add a bit of playful texture. If you’re questioning if it’s good for you, find an online preview tool or an app like Hair Salon to test it out before you chop.

However, if you have a great, trusting relationship with your stylist, just chop it!

Sleek, Asymmetrical Bob - This is a blunt bob that’s slightly asymmetrical, as it’s longer in front. It has uniform length and precise, razored ends that require an expert stylist’s hand. For this super-sleek look, blow dry hair straight using a dryer with a nozzle for directional drying. This will help to seal the cuticle of the hair and avoid frizz. Finish with a straightening iron for the extra sleek effect and a lighthold hairspray for hold and shine. It can work on most hair types and face shapes. Just note that if your hair is curly or textured and you prefer this sleek styling, it’ll take some upkeep.

Rapunzel Locks - What makes this style stand out is a centre part, and super straight and shiny locks with very few (if any) layers. It also has blunt, razored ends that keep it looking modern and fresh, versus overgrown. Prep the hair with a smoothing cream that also has a heat protection and use rat tail comb to give dead centre part.

Next, slowly blow dry with a round or flat brush and follow up with a flat iron. Finish up with a light oil to seal the ends. This haircut can be elongating for the face, so it works especially well with round and square shapes. If you don’t have a lot of hair, opt for temporary or permanent extensions!

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 14, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe of the week

Ingredients: 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon salt 2 pounds thawed fresh or frozen

fish fillets 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp melted butter

T

he 2018 Colours of the Year have been unveiled! Now, take a look at what shades leading industry brands are calling the stars of their fresh, new colour palettes.

These violet walls work perfectly with the white furniture and doorways.

Method: Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 2-inch baking dish.

Blend together the milk and salt in a shallow bowl. Combine bread crumbs, paprika, and Parmesan cheese in another bowl.

Dip fish fillets into milk mixture then into crumb mixture. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle melted butter over fillets.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets. Fish should flake easily with a fork when done.

Greatest Cooking Tips

Rather than using a knife or vegetable peeler to clean ginger, reach for the spoon. Scrape it against the skin and it'll come right off, following every contour and minimizing waste.

To slice avocados, split them in half, remove the pit by whacking it with the heel of your knife and twisting it out, then slice it directly in the skin using the tip of a paring knife or chef's knife. When you then scoop it out with a spoon, you'll have slices ready to go, with less mess than trying to fiddle with slippery peeled avocado a cutting board.

The empty half of an egg shell is the best tool to extract stubborn bits of cracked shells that have ended up in the bowl.

Deep onyx, better known as classic black, is a most beloved neutral that may be intimidating at first. However, paired with crisp white furniture and metallic home accents, black walls may become a staple in creating the contemporary home of your dreams.

Home Help

Vodka can be used as a way to clean your mattress. The alcohol kills odour-causing bacteria while it also disinfects the mattress. Simply pour vodka into a spray bottle, distribute it evenly across your mattress by spritzing and leave it to air-dry before remaking your bed.

Having houseplants helps reduce odours in the home.

Prevent cooking odours by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.

Another bold addition to the 2018 Colour of the Year family is radiant, lush Caliente. According to colour experts, this bright red hue is paired best with airy, peachy tones. (Continued next week)

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 14, 2018

Puzzles

Crossword

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ACROSS Four quarters Graf of tennis "Save your --!"

Stern opposite World's fair Conversation starters "Santa Baby" artist Long-active volcano Pull dandelions Ontario city Cap brims Exploit Night bird (2 wds.)

Take a break As a group (2 wds.)

Like some chests "Whatever -- Wants" Caesar's tongue Not forward Sun. homily Rontgen's discovery (hyph.)

Tank Hawke of "Before Midnight" More eager Floors for good Furniture mover Discounted (2 wds.)

Poets' feet Strides Wild dogs "Kidnapped" inits.

TVA supply Tassels Glacial deposit Dry, as champagne Stimpy's pal Small lizard Dress store section Rockhound's find Ceylon, now (2 wds.)

Meadow murmur Not 'neath Scratched Big League events Chilly comment Route follower Prune the hedge Barbecue garb -- polloi Invisible substance Where to see piggies?

Fewest Richly adorned Lucie or Desi -- kwon do Kitty starter Really likes (2 wds.)

Rivulet Sticky sweet Lab course Ice-cream treats Pulled a hoax

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Witch-hunt locale Gently ATV feature Kilt pattern Sports official One-celled plants Astronaut -- Grissom Ms. Close of films Books pro Dancer -- Charisse Not domesticated Two, in Toulouse London flashlight Spliced, in botany Female lobsters Place to sing (2 wds.)

Name in blue jeans Ancient (hyph.)

"Moonlight --" Rick's old flame To -- -- (exactly) Excise More contrived Oblique line (abbr.)

Novelist Earl -- Biggers "Dracula" writer Veld grazers Motels of yore DOWN Somber evergreens Suit, so to speak Mimic Calf-roping event A real eye-opener Use a hitching post Entertainer -- John Defect Turkey "This -- -- bust!"

Cuts at an angle Mrs. Gorbachev Prefix for "while" From -- -- Z Impending danger Didn't yet Stuffy scholars 66 and I-80 Singles Slog through a puddle Maneuvers slowly Orbison and Rogers Demeanors Vietnam neighbor Rangier T-bar users Medicine man Sana'a native Craft knife (hyph.)

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KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- GRIMALKIN (GRIMALKIN: grih-MAWL-kin: An old female cat.)

Average mark 45 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 65 or more words in GRIMALKIN? gain girl glair gnar gnarl grail grain gram grim grin rail railing rain raking rang rani rank

riling riming ring rink irking magi mail mailing main making malign margin mark marking marl marlin milia

milk milking mini mink miring mirk ailing aiming airing akin align amir argil arming lain lair lank

lark liar liking liming limn ling link lira kiang kiln king knar nail nilgai

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

Like folk art dolls Peacock network "The Castle" novelist Diverse Yea, to a matador Ice hockey gear Scribble Ques. response Hikers' shelters Give -- -- break Auto's high and low Scrawny Average Glamour Baggy Gave a quick rundown Swamp sound Cutting tools (2 wds.)

Tainted -- down (softened)

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Iditarod locale Eyebrow -Appraisal Attentive Fritz's lang.

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Commotions Gizmo -- gap Put varnish on Tail ends Dig deep Bullet -Children's classic Very pleased Nerve network Claim Tackle box item Rapper -- Moe Dee "Diana" composer Crepe cousin Hot -- -- oven Dust collectors A funny Philips H. Rider Haggard novel See Solution on Pg 13

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JANUARY 14, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

A

pple has a response of sorts to activist shareholders concerned about kids’ addiction to iPhones: Enhanced parental controls are coming to iOS. Ahead of Apple’s annual shareholder meeting next month, Jana Partners and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) asked Apple this week for new software to let parents limit kids’ iPhone use, and to conduct a study on the effects of excessive phone use on mental health.

In short, Apple states that it has “always looked out for kids,” leads the industry in OS-level parental controls, and thinks “deeply about how our products are used and the impact they have.” Without providing any details or committing to the mental health study, Apple says that it has “new

features and enhancements planned for the future, to add functionality and make these [parental control] tools even more robust.”

The issue of iPhone addiction — and portable device addiction in general — has been in the background for years, but recently benefited from additional at-

tention. As noted in an earlier Reuters report, former Disney star Selena Gomez revealed that she’d canceled a tour due to depression she attributed to social media addiction, and a 2016 survey suggested that half of teenagers felt addicted to their mobile phones and were pressured to immediately

respond to phone messages. The issue of how much parents should control their kids’ viewing habits — and thus their kids — has continued to percolate in popular media such as the TV show “Black Mirror”, without reaching a conclusive answer.

Enhanced parental con-

trols are likely to offer only a partial solution to the issues raised by Jana and CalSTRS. Present iOS controls, found in the General > Restrictions section of Settings, include a collection of switches to disable web browsing, camera and FaceTime functionality, file sharing, Siri, the News app, and various types of media acquisition. Parents can also prevent iOS devices from displaying content with explicit language, sexual content, or limited by age-specific ratings across movies, TV shows, and apps.

What iOS’ parental controls do not enable are meaningful time limits or granular oversight over specific pieces of content displayed on the device. A Guided Access feature enables the device as a whole to be time-limited for accessibility or gallery purposes, but not with sepa-

rate times for separate apps.

Similarly, parents cannot easily screen or approve of web content that might skirt certain rules; they can either whitelist a narrow collection of sites one at a time, or blacklist “adult content.”

Perhaps most importantly, stronger parental controls won’t address underlying issues such as the erosion of in-person socialization and lowering of self-esteem currently being caused in part by social media.

Any major improvement to the parental controls in iOS is unlikely to debut until at least June, when Apple holds its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, and it could come later given the company’s standard development cycles for new features. The lag also gives Apple plenty of time to undertake a mental health study for kids, should it want to.

Samsung will unveil the JVC releases more Galaxy S9 next month wireless headphones for different occasions R

S

amsung will unveil its next flagship handset, the Galaxy S9, in February at Mobile World Congress (MWC).

The company’s smartphone chief, DJ Koh, confirmed the launch recently. Koh didn’t offer a specific date, but MWC will run from February 26 to March 1 this year, so expect the unveiling to fall somewhere in that time frame.

The S9 (and, presumably, an S9 Plus) will be the successors to the S8 and S8 Plus, which launched at a Samsung event in New York last March before going on

sale in April. The S8 and its bigger brother were a hit with critics, who praised the phones’ gorgeous design and brilliant cameras.

The phones were even good enough to make consumers

Crossword Solution

forget about the disaster of the Galaxy Note 7 and its exploding batteries.

Not much is known about the Galaxy S9 at this point, but a handful of leaked renders suggest it will look near-identical to its predecessor, with a slight tweak moving the rear fingerprint sensor to below the camera (rather than its current, awkward position of off to one side).

However, the S9 and S9 Plus won’t be all Samsung fans have to look forward to this year. Speaking to ZDNet, Koh also reiterated that the company plans to launch a foldable phone in 2018. What exactly “foldable” means in terms of functionality isn’t clear, but smartphones with curved displays have been an obsession of Samsung’s for more than half a decade.

So far, it’s given us the bizarre Galaxy Round but also the successful wraparound screens of the S7 Edge onwards. (The Verge)

ecently, Japanese electronics company JVC released several wireless headphones.

JVC is launching the new HA-ET90BT wireless sport headphones aimed at athletes. JVC claims its headphones have a water resistance rating of IPX5. The headphones are supposed to stay in place during a workout thanks to a rubber fin at the top of each earpiece that adjusts to a user’s ear shape. Users can choose from three differ-

mote for answering calls and controlling music playback. It’s accompanied with three silicone earpieces in small, medium, and large, as well as a hard plastic carrying case.

The headphones come in black, blue, or red, and will be available in March for US$49.95.

Meanwhile, for commuters dealing with noisy planes or trains, JVC is also releasing new HA-S80BN Bluetooth on-ear noisecanceling headphones. It claims the foldable headphones have 11 hours of battery life

ent sizes and either a conventional earpiece style or an “open” ear style that lets runners hear nearby noises in their surroundings.

The left earpiece has a built-in microphone and a button that controls music playback.

The wireless sport headphones come with a carrying pouch with a belt clip and charging case. The HA-ET90BT headphones will be available in March for US$149.95.

Also, it’s updating its JVC XX headphone line with a sport HA-ET103BT Bluetooth model. These new in-ear headphones have rubber fins on each earpiece for secure fit and they’re sweat-proof with an IPX2 rating.

The HA-ET103BT headphones are built around an 8.5mm driver and deep bass ports. There’s a mic and three-button re-

on a single charge with both Bluetooth and noise canceling turned on. he headphones also have an integrated mic and remote, and a detachable cable so that users can charge while they listen. The headphones have three sound modes: normal, bass, and clear. It will be available in May for US$99.95.

JVC is also trying to appeal to the fashion-conscious headphone wearers with its HA-S20BT Flats Wireless line of Bluetooth headphones that come in blue, pink, black, or white.

These “fashionable” headphones are foldable and have a three-button remote and mic, as well as 11 hours of battery life on a single charge. They’re available in March for US$39.95. (The Verge)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 14, 2018

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Bollywood/Hollywood

Kajol: ‘Working with Shah Meghan Markle apparently Rukh comes naturally to me’ bought the Queen a hilarious Christmas present H

W

hen she stayed at Buckingham Palace for Christmas, Prince Harry’s fiancée, Meghan Markle, apparently bought Queen Elizabeth a singing hamster.

Apparently, there is a tradition in the Royal Household of buying each other ‘joke presents’.

According to The Daily Mail, the gift went down well, and the Queen laughed and suggested: "They can keep my dogs company!"

(Glamour)

Disney defends skin darkening in ‘Aladdin’

aving featured in over half a dozen films and being considered one of the most sought after on-screen pair, Kajol says working alongside Shah Rukh Khan is always a pleasure as the superstar makes the experience easier.

Kajol and Shah Rukh shot for a special sequence for Aanand L Rai’s next, “Zero”.

While Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma will be seen in lead roles alongside Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani Mukerji shot for a special sequence. Rani had called the experience as “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” part two.

Kajol, who last worked with Shah Rukh on “Dilwale”, praised the actor for his dedication to cinema.

“We actually shot for half-an-hour but it was great. It’s always fabulous to work with him. He is a really amazing man to work with because he is 300 per cent involved in whatever he is doing. It’s great fun because he is such a fine actor that it comes very naturally to work with him and alongside him,” says Kajol in an interview to PTI. The actor may have been around for close to three decades in the industry but says her dedication to give it all for work hasn’t reduced. “I’ve come from a time when we used to work from 7 in the morning till 9 in the night on a daily basis without the comforts of sitting in an AC room. Somewhere down the line, you realise that work is God. You have to take it seriously everyday, it’s the most important thing,” she says.

Much of the discipline, Kajol says, comes from her mother who taught her early in childhood that no work is lesser or bigger.

D

D

isney has admitted "making up" some white actors in order for them to "blend" into Asian crowd scenes for its upcoming “Aladdin” film.

The company told Newsbeat they filled background performer roles with white people "only in a handful of instances when it was a matter of specialty skills, safety and

control".

There are no white characters in the original Middle Eastern folk story, “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp” from “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights”.

It's not the first time a production has been criticised for choosing white cast members to play Asian or black characters.

Ramesh Taurani to stop the shoot and later escorted the actor home.

The actor earlier received death threats from a gangster from the Bishnoi community that worships black bucks. According to IANS, Salman’s appearance in Jodhpur last Thursday in the black buck case led to threats by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The black buck case -- in which Salman is charged with poaching the endangered animal -- has been going on in Jodhpur for the past 10 years.

“Salman Khan will be killed here, in Jodhpur... Then he will come to know about our real identity. Now, if police want me to do some major crime, I shall kill Salman Khan and that too in Jodhpur,” Bishnoi told media on January 5.

Bishoi is a notorious gangster and has been charged in over 20 cases of attempt to murder, carjacking, extortion, snatching and under the Arms Act in Punjab-Haryana belt.

(Hindustan Times)

Bollywood star Mallika Sherawat evicted from Paris flat

S

elena Gomez is sorting things out on her Instagram feed in early 2018. The 25-year-old actress, who previously followed more than 300 people, has unfollowed more than 200 people on the photosharing site, leaving just 37 accounts in her "following" list.

Selena's fans noticed that the "Wolves" songstress unfollowed Demi Lovato, Camila Cabello, Gigi Hadid, her former "Wizards of Waverly Place" co-stars and the cast of "13 Reasons Why". She, however, is still following her close friends Taylor Swift, Francia Raisa and Julia Michaels, actresses Amy Schumer and Jessica Alba as well as some fan accounts dedicated to celebrating her career.

Selena made the changes on Saturday, January 6. Many were puzzled by her move, with one asking, "She unfollowed demi, camila & all her friends & 13 reasons why cast & wizards of waverly place cast & so many peoples. Wtf is happening."

Last month, Selena briefly made her Instagram account private after sharing a cryptic post in which she criticized her Billboard cover story. "Never will I let another human guess my words ever again. Or invite them in my home. That is so hurtful.

ays after Bollywood actor Salman Khan received death threats, his manager and police have dismissed reports that shooting of his film “Race 3” was stalled and that the actor was escorted home after armed men were spotted at the shoot location.

“We have not received any complaint about it. Nothing like that has happened,” said Vinay Rathod, deputy commissioner of police, zone XII. Rathod also categorically denied any shoot being stopped or the entrance or the presence of armed men at the shooting site.

When contacted, Salman’s manager, Jordy Patel, categorically denied any such incident. “This is absolutely untrue and nothing of the sort has happened. No one has entered any set and the shoot is on as usual.”

On Thursday, a Mumbai Mirror report said police arrived at the Race 3 set in Film City after armed men were spotted there. The report said cops asked Salman and producer

“As a kid my mother made me sweep the house and clean the bathroom. She said if at any point you don’t have servants in your house, you should be able to look after the house. I did it. Somewhere it gives you amazing work ethics. Nobody’s job is less, one should respect all. I’ve even made my kids broom the house so that they learn not to litter,” she says.

The actor launched Hindustan Unilever Limited’s new campaign ‘A Playing Billion’ to promote healthy hygiene habits among children as part of their ‘Swachh Aadat, Swachh Bharat’ initiative. She’s the advocacy ambassador of the same. When asked if is it sad that even in the 21st century one has to preach people over the importance of basic hygiene, Kajol says the country is finally ready to listen. (PTI)

A

The most 'ridiculous' part of that is no one knowing my heart when I say things," she wrote at the time.

Later in the same month, Gomez and her mom Mandy Teefey unfollowed each other after they reportedly had a fight over her rekindled romance with Justin Bieber. Prior to that, TMZ reported that Mandy had to be taken to a hospital after having an argument with her daughter.

A source, however, told PEOPLE that Justin wasn't the only factor that caused Mandy's hospitalization. "It's been a stressful time for Mandy and she made the decision herself to go to the hospital and make sure everything was okay," the source said, adding, "This wasn't just about Justin. It's true her family doesn't approve of Justin, but this wasn't just over a fight about him."

(AceShowbiz)

French court has ordered that Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat be evicted from an apartment in a posh part of Paris for failing to keep up with the rent.

In a December 14 ruling seen by AFP, the court told Sherawat and her French husband Cyrille Auxenfans to pay $78,787 euros (USD $94,000) in rent owed and expenses, giving the green light for their furniture to be seized.

The couple began renting the apartment in the pricey 16th district on January 1, 2017, for a monthly sum of $6,054 euros.

But according to the owner they never paid the rent, making only a single payment.

At a hearing in a Paris court on November 14, a lawyer for the couple said they were in financial difficulty.

The lawyer emphasised the "irregular" nature of Sherawat's work -- an argument dismissed by the owners of the apartment who claimed she had earned tens of millions during the rental period.

Neither Sherawat nor Auxen replied to

AFP's request for comment.

In mid-December the actress had denied having a Paris apartment.

"It's absolutely not true, if someone has donated one to me, please send me the address," she tweeted in response to media reports about the case.

The couple may appeal the eviction order.

They cannot be thrown out until March 31, when a moratorium on wintertime evictions expires. (Times of India)

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 14, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 14, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES Make personal changes, (March 21- take a day trip or spend time April 19) with relatives who need a little encouragement. Look for the positive in whatever situation you face.

Just because changes TAURUS are going on all around you (April 20- doesn’t mean you must folMay 20) low the crowd. Assess the situation and do whatever works best for you.

GEMINI (May 28June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Personal change may not be easy, but it will be necessary. A little contemplation will help you recognize your flaws and realize that no one is perfect. Do your best.

Do something creative or make personal changes that will boost your confidence and make a difference to your attitude. Love and romance will improve your life.

Common sense will be necessary if you want to avoid setbacks. Avoid overspending, taking on too much or indulgent behavior. Moderation will improve your personal life and ease your stress.

Dig in and get things done. Personal gains can be made, as long as you are strategic in how you go about getting what you want.

Personal relationships are encouraged.

LIBRA Unexpected changes are (Sept. 23- heading your way. Be willing Oct. 23) to accept the inevitable and to work in a positive manner so you can make the best and the most out of whatever unfolds.

Peanuts

A couple of unexpected SCORPIO changes that can influence (Oct. 24- your financial standing may Nov. 22) cloud your day. When handling someone else’s affairs, be careful not to misinterpret what is and isn’t appropriate.

Stay focused on home, SAGITTARIUS family and making improve(Nov. 23ments that will add to your Dec. 21) comfort and keep your costs within your means. A positive change will lead to a positive attitude and household.

Calvin and Hobbes

An emotional matter will CAPRICORN catch you off-guard. Use your (Dec. 22- intelligence and insight to offJan. 19) set confusion. Only act when you know exactly what you are dealing with. Time is on your side.

AQUARIUS A change of plans will (Jan. 20- give you the opportunity to Feb. 19) do something you haven’t had time for lately. Ask an old friend to join you, but don’t share too much about your personal life.

PISCES Expect the unexpected.

(Feb. 20- Use your intelligence to gain Mar. 20) access to information that will help you make a good decision. There is plenty to gain if you go about it the right way.