Is it a boy or a girl? Germany allows babies to be neither

Experts estimate one in 1,500 to 2,000 births result in a baby of indeterminate gender or both male and female gender features. PHOTO: FILE

BERLIN: Germany on Friday became the first European country to allow babies born with characteristics of both sexes to be registered as neither male nor female, but advocates called for broader reforms.

Under the new legislation, the entry for gender can be left blank on birth certificates, effectively creating a category for indeterminate sex in the public register.

But activists promoting the rights of so-called ‘intersex’ people said they hoped the creation of a third gender option would open the door to broader changes limiting genital surgery on newborns with both male and female characteristics.

“It’s a first, important step in the right direction,” Lucie Veith, an intersex person from the northern German city of Hamburg, told AFP.

But Veith said leaving the gender undefined on birth certificates was never the main lobbying point for her group, the German chapter of the Association of Intersexed People, or others in the intersex community.

“That we forbid cosmetic genital surgeries for newborns, that is our first demand,” Veith said.

The German law is intended to remove pressure on parents to quickly make a decision about controversial sex assignment surgeries for newborns, but many advocates say it does not go far enough.

“The surgeries are likely to continue in Germany,” said Silvan Agius, policy director at ILGA Europe, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights group.

“Parents can already refuse these surgeries,” Agius added.

“You can already say, ‘No, thank you very much, I don’t want any surgery until my child can choose his or her gender.’”

Operations on intersex babies and infants in many European countries take place without adequate informed consent by the patients, according to a 2012 European Commission report on the topic.

The report also found that many adults born intersex are angry these surgeries were performed without their consent.

Experts estimate one in 1,500 to 2,000 births result in a baby of indeterminate gender or both male and female gender features.

The Council of Europe for the first time last month addressed the issue, in a Parliamentary Assembly resolution calling on member states to study the prevalence of “non-medically justified operations” that may harm children and take steps to “ensure that no-one is subjected to unnecessary medical or surgical treatment that is cosmetic rather than vital for health during infancy or childhood”.

Agius and other advocates worry that the new German law creates a de facto third gender category legally, but does nothing to change a society that operates largely on a gender binary with facilities such as separate male and female public toilets.

“There could be many other laws that could follow it and make it implementable and good,” Agius said.

“My point is that if it remains as is… then it’s greatly deficient.”

Rate revision: Petrol price ‘slashed’ by nearly half a rupee

The new price of petrol stands at Rs112.76 against current price of Rs 113.24 per litre.

ISLAMABAD: 

The federal government on Thursday slashed petrol price by a measly Rs0.48 per litre, instead of the recommended Rs2.48 cut. The reduction takes effect from November 1, according to a notification by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

According to a summary moved by Ogra before the ministries of petroleum and finance on Wednesday, the price of petrol was proposed to be slashed by as much as Rs2.48 per litre from Friday.

However, the government cut its price by Rs0.48 per litre to adjust a reduction in rate of petroleum levy to earn more revenue during the month of November. The new price of petrol stands at Rs112.76 against current price of Rs 113.24 per litre.

In line with escalation in global oil prices, Ogra had suggested a price hike of Rs0.18 per litre on High Speed Diesel (HSD) – which is widely used in heavy transport vehicles, but its price was cut by Rs0.20 per litre taking it to Rs116.75 from the existing rate of Rs116.95.

Meanwhile, the rate of kerosene oil, which is widely used in remote areas where Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is not available, has been decreased by Rs0.13 per litre from Rs108.13 to Rs108.00.

However, the cost of Light Diesel Oil (LDO) has remained unchanged, but the price of  high-octane blending component, used in luxury vehicles, has gone down by Rs2.67 – from Rs143.90 to Rs141.23 – per litre.

Ogra had recommended increase in HSD, LDO and kerosene prices and suggested that they be adjusted in the petroleum levy, but the finance ministry ignored the proposal.

Pakistan condemns Friday's drone strike

The statement notes that "such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations." PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: With unconfirmed reports that a drone strike in Dandey Darpakhel in Miranshah area of North Waziristan targeting a compound in the use of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakeemullah Mehsud, the government of Pakistan condemns the strike.

According to a statement released from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday evening, it repeated its stance that drone strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that there is an across the board consensus in Pakistan that these drone strikes must end.

The statement added that the Pakistan government has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications.

“Such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations.”

The statement added that drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.

According to initial reports of the strike on Friday, the second in two days, killed at least five people as the drone fired two missiles on a compound in Dandey Darpakhel.

Earlier on Thursday, a strike targeted another compound and car in the Miranshah Bazaar and killed at least three people.

Exfoliate, moisturise and eat right to look good

Exfoliate, moisturise and eat right to look good. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DELHI: Keeping your skin moisturised is the best way to nourish skin but don’t skip exfoliation or healthy food to maintain the glow of the skin, says an expert.

Here are a few handy tips from Aparna Santhanam, celebrity dermatologist from Marico to make skin radiant:

Moisturising should be a basic body care regime required to keep your skin refreshed and nourished. Don’t neglect hands and feet.

Exfoliating your skin twice a week is important to maintain a youthful and brightened look as it removes dead and weary skin. Homemade concoction of crushed oats, honey and sugar grains is one way to do it.

Eat a balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits, coconut water, avocado and nuts, among other healthy food items.

Apply homemade skin-moisturising face pack too. Mix equal quantities of papaya pulp and honey and massage on the damp face for 15 minutes then wash it off with cold water

Aamir Khan honoured by US for Satyamev Jayate

Aamir says his aim is to sensitise Indians about social issues and help them find solutions. PHOTO: FILE

WASHINGTON: B-town perfectionist Aamir Khan is no doubt an achiever, given he is a three-time National Award winner and was also recently ranked among 100 most influential people in Time magazine. However, apart from being a splendid actor, Aamir is also known for his social activism through advertisements and his popular TV show Satyamev Jayate.

For the latter, Bollywood superstar has been honoured with a prestigious US award in recognition of his successful effort to create debate on India’s pressing social problems through the TV show. The 47-year-old actor was presented with the Inaugural America Abroad Media Award along with Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow and the International Centre on Non-violent Conflict (ICNC) at a ceremony held on Monday night.

Launched in 2012, the Sunday morning show, Satyamev Jayete, tackles some of India’s most pressing social problems – forced abortions of unborn girls, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, alcoholism and treatment of the elderly.

“I had no idea how the work we started back home would somehow interest those outside India,” said Aamir while accepting the award in person – a rare exception to his practice of not attending award shows. “My team and I are trying to do this show out of love because we feel that we are part of the problem and we are also part of the solution; we need to find that. We need to question ourselves and look inside as opposed to pointing outside,” he said after the ceremony.

Aamir, who was accompanied by his filmmaker wife Kiran Rao, said he is working on the next season of the show. “All my capabilities lie in the field of media and storytelling. So we try to combine our expertise and capabilities in storytelling and television and pick on social issues that we feel can make a difference,” he said.

Aamir Khan said, though it is nice to be felicitated here, he is more concerned about the Indian audience. “My main aim is to really work in India. To sensitise people about issues and see that we can find solutions to our own issues back home. I am looking to talking to Indians,” he asserted.

When asked by a Pakistani journalist whether he would work for a Pakistani film, Aamir answered, “I am a creative person. Whenever I receive an offer from any part of the world, which is of interest to me, I would like to do that.”

“The culture of India and Pakistan are the same. Our language is the same. There are a lot of similarities among us. So indeed, if there is any offer of a film from Pakistan, and I like the script, I would certainly like to do that,” he added.

Amitabh is no less than a President: Shatrughan Sinha

For over ten years, veteran actors Shatrughan Sinha and Amitabh Bachchan were frenemies. PHOTO:FILE

The younger generation in Bollywood is all about envy, rivalry, catfights and star backgrounds. However, unlike the budding youth, the veterans seem to appreciate each other’s efforts and are always humble and modest in their approach.

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who has worked with co-star Amitabh Bachchan in films like Dostana and Raaste Kaa Patthar, says that the latter is no less than a President. “His personality, education and body language command acceptance. Barring a couple of exceptions, I think he is no less than any former President of India,” he said in an interview with the Times of India.

However, even these oldies seem to have had their share of rivalry during their heydays. According to Rediff.com, Sinha said that after a long friendship, Bachchan just did not want to do films with him and that Bachchan’s most popular role to date in Sholay was first offered to him. “There are certain things that people are not aware of. Amitabh’s role in Sholay was first offered to me. But I was emerging as the lead in those days. I didn’t want to play such a role,” he asserted. “Amitabh went ahead [in his career]. We started meeting less and less but we did do a few films together, like Naseeb and Shaan. I must say Amitabh did not want me to do these films. I think Kaala Patthar was the last nail in the coffin of our friendship. He was very against of me doing the film.”

Nonetheless, after a decade-long rivalry, it seems that Sinha is all set to put an end to it. Right after his bypass, Sinha aka Shotgun made sure that he attended Bachchan’s 70th birthday. “Yes [I did attend]. By the time I reached, I was very tired. All along the way, I felt very weak,” he said.

He has even expressed his wish to do a film with Big B but feels that he is restricted due to his political career. “If I do a film, I have no problems doing it with him. I don’t want to do a film and then have my political commitments keep the producer waiting. Many filmmakers have wanted me, the most recent one being Tigmanshu Dhulia,” Sinha said.

Spoiler Alert! Boss: Don’t fear, Akshay Kumar is here

What can be termed a mediocre film at best, is uplifted by the grandeur of Akshay's acting. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: 

In the growingly popular realm of South Asian cinema-inspired action comedies, Akshay Kumar is, perhaps, the most suitable actor. He may not be as buff as Salman Khan but his built and moves make the action sequences look real and his comic timing is close to perfect. Known for his dashing looks and for having a way with on-screen romance, Akshay propels the female viewer towards his films.

These are probably the reasons why one may feel the need to watch Boss. All the characters, other than Akshay’s, seem to be squeezed into the plot, which screams to be redeemed. Or maybe it’s vice versa. Maybe, Akshay has no place in the narrative and is simply made to be a constituent of the film for his star power — which, needless to say, is the only thing that breathes life into the film apart from some hilarious one-liners.

The story goes something like this: Surya (Akshay Kumar) and Shiv (Shiv Pandit) are the sons of Satyakant Shastri (Mithun Chakraborty), who is a school teacher by profession. Satyakant ends up kicking Surya out of the house and disowns him because of his repeated brawls with a kid during his childhood. Shiv grows up to be a handsome hunk who falls in love with Ankita (Aditi Rao Hydari), who happens to be the sister of a corrupt police officer Ayushman Mathur (Ronit Roy). Ayushman wants to get Ankita married to the son of a minister, so he arrests Shiv for crimes that he hasn’t committed.

You must be wondering where the story is heading. What about the missing brother Surya? Where did he vanish? The missing brother turns out to be Boss, a transport businessman. The story finally shapes up with him having to confront his father after years of abandonment.

The fact that Akshay doesn’t have a leading lady in the film is a pleasant change and gives the character of Boss the levy to act like an irresponsible and stupid person. What is a clichéd concept, the long-lost son’s yearning for his father and brother is tackled childishly in the film. The brothers recognise each other the moment they say something at the same time, just as they did in their childhood.

That is typical Bollywood for you. In fact, the history of Bollywood is full of scripts like that ofBoss’ — run-of-the-mill and lacking substance. Having said that, Akshay’s comic timing, as mentioned earlier, is excellent and some sequences do make the viewer laugh. For example, whenever Boss is having a meeting with someone, he sits on a “rocking chair”. That rocking chair is formed by an acrobatic arrangement of his own bodyguards, who keep on moving to-and-fro.

Styling was key to Anthony Desouza’s previous flick Blue and plays a crucial role in Boss as well. Akshay’s backcombed hair that occasionally drops on his forehead reminds one of the “Khiladi” he used to be in the 90s. Aditi Rao Hydari looks gorgeous and it seems like her stylist has learnt from all the blunders that were committed in Murder 3. Aditi’s eastern look in the film is dazzling. Shiv Pandit, who looks very much like Shahid Kapoor in some places, fails to leave an impression and is often overpowered by seasoned actors like Akshay and Mithun.

Yo Yo Honey Singh’s addition to the film’s music is cosmetic but the remixed version of Har Kisi Ko Nahi Milta Yahan Pyaar Zindagi Mein is refreshing despite its disappointing visual execution.

Verdict: Since Boss is the only family movie running in cinemas these days, it can be watched once. You’ll definitely enjoy it if you are an Akshay Kumar fan. Otherwise, you’ll probably walk out during the intermission! Rating: 2/5