Shabana Azmi: World must join hands to stop genocide in Myanmar

The violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar amounted to genocide and the world must get together to stop it, says actor-activist Shabana Azmi.

Azmi, who was speaking at a book launch in Mumbai last evening, said eminent global citizens had written to members of the Security Council to draw their attention to the problem.

"Whatever has been happening to Rohingyas is wrong and it is genocide. I think the whole world should get together to stop this.

"We have written a long letter to the UN Security Council which has been signed by me and several other artistes.
In such difficult times, there is a need for confidence building," she said.
A group of 12 Nobel laureates and 18 other eminent global citizens led by civil society leader Muhammad Yunus recently sent an open letter to member states of the UN Security Council, urging them to immediately intervene in the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Rohingyas are minority Muslims in western Myanmar and have been fleeing their homes following an army crackdown on their villages that has left hundreds dead.

Rohingya refugees face deportation in India with the government terming them illegal immigrants and a threat to the security of the country.

Nepal says will measure Mount Everest next year to see if lost height

Nepal will measure Mount Everest afresh to settle a controversy over height of the world’s tallest peak, especially after some estimates suggested it became a little shorter in the wake of an earthquake two years ago, officials said on Friday.

 

Nepal, home to Mount Everest and half of the world’s 14 highest mountains, has never measured the peak on its own and uses its snow height of 8,848 metres (29,028 feet) that was measured by the Survey of India in 1954.

Many Western climbers use the height of 8,850 metres (29,035 feet) determined in 1999 by the National Geographic Society and Boston’s Museum of Science, in a survey that used satellite-based technology to measure the peak.
Everest straddles the border between Nepal and China, and in 2005 Chinese mountaineers and researchers put its height at 8,844.43 metres (29,017 feet).
Ganesh Prasad Bhatta, director general of the Nepal government’s Survey Department said an expedition would be made next year to settle the debate.
“We are now developing a methodology for the measurement which will be discussed with international experts, and their advice will be incorporated to make sure that our work meets global standards and is internationally accepted,” Bhatta told Reuters.
He said Nepal lacked scientific tools like Global Positioning System and leveling equipment as well as gravimeters, but would hire what was needed from experts and agencies like the International Association of Geodesy.
“If the weather conditions on the mountain are good, we will start the work in the summer climbing season next year or in the Autumn of 2018,” Anil Marasini, another official with the Survey Department, said.
Officials said they would seek to establish whether a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in April 2015 had altered the mountain’s height.
The earthquake occurred during the peak climbing season, and massive avalanches killed 18 people at the base camp.
 During the summer mountaineering season this year, some climbers said the Hillary Step - a near vertical rock formation below the summit - had collapsed, though the Nepal government has rebutted those claims.

Klopp angry as Liverpool eliminated from League Cup

Liverpool failed to finish off a slew of chances and conceded a sloppy goal in a 2-0 loss at Leicester in the English League Cup, arousing the ire of its frustrated manager Juergen Klopp on Tuesday.
It is becoming a familiar narrative for the Reds in a disappointing month when they haven't won any of their four matches. Questions are now being asked the team's efficiency at both ends of the field.
Liverpool over-ran Leicester in a dominant first-half display, with Philippe Coutinho orchestrating the attacks from midfield. But the visitors struggled after the Brazil playmaker was substituted at halftime of the third-round match in a pre-planned move from Klopp.
In another game-changing substitution, Shinji Okazaki came on in the 53rd minute for Leicester, scored 12 minutes later with a deflected shot after Liverpool's defense was beaten to two headers, and then laid the ball on for Islam Slimani to drive home a stunning second goal at King Power stadium.
"Second ball from a corner and a goal from a throw-in - I'm sick of goals like this, to be honest. Unbelievable," Klopp said.
Referring to the first goal, Klopp added: "We didn't push up together - I say it one time, I say it a thousand times. It's not nice to concede these goals."
Since beating Arsenal 4-0 in the Premier League before the international break, Liverpool has been thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City and drawn 1-1 at home to Burnley in the league, conceded late to draw 2-2 with Sevilla in the Champions League, and has now been eliminated from the League Cup.
Klopp is easing Coutinho back to full match sharpness after the midfielder missed Liverpool's first six games of the season - officially because of injury and illness - while he was the subject of three transfer bids from Barcelona.
Leicester couldn't handle Coutinho's passing and movement in the first half, and only came into the game when he was off the field.
 "They've got a world-class player in Coutinho," Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare said. "I was very relieved when he went off."
Liverpool finished the game having had 21 shots, but only three on target. Against Burnley on Saturday, the Reds only scored once from 35 shots.
Tottenham was among the other Premier League teams to win on a night when top-flight sides mostly fielded fringe players for what is regarded as the inferior cup competition on the English calendar, compared to the FA Cup.

Babuji Dheere Chalna actress Shakila dies at 82

Shaikla, who worked with Guru Dutt and Dev Anand, died Wednesday morning following a massive heart attack

Yesteryear star Shakila passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack. She was 82.

Often described as ‘fairy queen of Indian movies’, she appeared in famous songs such as Babuji Dheere Chalna, Neend Na Mujhko Aaye and Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar. At the height of her popularity in the 50s, she appeared in films such as Wadia Movietone’s Hatim Tai (1956), Guru Dutt’s Aar Paar (1954) and CID (1956), Raj Kapoor’s Shriman Satyawadi (1960) and with Shammi Kapoor in China Town (1962).
The news of her death was revealed by actor Nasirr Khan, son of yesteryear’s comedian Johnny Walker and Shakila’s nephew. Talking to social media, he wrote, “With a heavy heart i have 2 inform u all dat my maternal aunt (my moms older sister) Shakila Aunty has passed away. She was a star in her own right in the 50’s n 60’s. Babuji dheere chalna, pyaar mein zara samhalna...Please keep her in ur prayers. May Allah grant her Jannat (sic).”
According to reports, she has not been keeping well for the past few years and rarely made a public appearance. After she suffered a heart attack on Wednesday, she was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be admitted immediately, according to a Mumbai Mirror report. She was then taken to a Juhu hospital.
Married to an NRI, she had left the industry and shifted to the UK. She returned to Mumbai where she stayed at Marine Drive for a few years. She shifted to bandra after her daughter, Meenaz, committed suicide.
She remained best friends with Waheeda Rehman, Nanda and Jabeen Jalili. She was also close to Saira Banu and Asha Parekh.

Broadcast journalist killed in northeastern India

Police say a journalist from a local television network was abducted and killed while covering a protest rally in India’s remote northeastern state of Tripura.
Police chief AK Shukla says Shantanu Bhowmick, a news reporter working for “Dinraat” or “Day and Night” news broadcaster, was reporting on a road blockade by a political party representing indigenous tribal people when he was abducted late Wednesday.
Shukla says Bhowmick was later found with multiple stab injuries and died before he could be taken to a hospital.
He was the second journalist to be killed in India this month. Gauri Lankesh, the editor of a weekly and a fierce critic of Hinduism, was shot and killed outside her home in Bangalore on September 5.

Rakhi Sawant to play 'missing' Honeypreet Insan

Actress Rakhi Sawant says she will expose Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a biopic in which she will star as the disgraced Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief's adopted daughter Honeypreet Insan, who is believed to be now hiding in Nepal.

"Yes, I'm playing Honeypreet as I have known her for seven to eight years. I know everything about her.
I believe she is in London right now. My brother Rakesh Sawant and I are producing the film," Rakhi told IANS.
"I'm in Delhi right now. We will be shooting here only. Our set will be exactly like his Sacha Sauda. I promise my audiences that 'Main baba ki sab pol khol ke hi dum lungi' (I will be relieved only after exposing him)," she added.

The release date of the biopic is yet to be finalised.

The sect chief has been jailed since August 25 when he was convicted by the CBI court in Panchkula on two counts of rape of female disciples in 1999. He was then sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of over Rs 30 lakh.

Real Madrid stunned by last-gasp Sanabria header for Betis

Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis on Wednesday as an inspired performance from their former goalkeeper Antonio Adan and a stoppage-time winner from Antonio Sanabria stunned the Liga champions

 

 

Sanabria had an effort disallowed for offside in the final minute of normal time, but rose highest to head in a 94th minute winner to secure a memorable backs-to-the-wall victory.

The defeat leaves Real Madrid without a win in their three home La Liga games this season and in seventh place in the table, seven points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday.
In an eventful first half, both sides exchanged efforts with Sanabria and Real's Cristiano Ronaldo seeing efforts cleared off the line in the early stages.
Both teams' goalkeepers pulled off smart saves as the honours remained even heading into the break, but Madrid cranked up the pressure after the restart, laying siege to Adan’s goal. Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale both hit the woodwork and Real Madrid's youth team product Adan pulled off a number of stunning saves in to frustrate the home crowd.