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CBD For Managing Pain – How Does It Work?

Bhok Thompson
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CBD For Managing Pain – How Does It Work?
cannabis oil woman
CBD is magical anxiety relief to millions of people. It’s the best of cannabis, without the high

CBD For Managing Pain

CBD is a natural remedy that is beneficial in the management of pain in a variety of forms. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the effects of chemotherapy and also help with muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis. It can be used to manage chronic pain from many different sources and is becoming increasingly popular.

Today, there are a great many CBD-derived products – oils, capsules, and various types of gummies such as HHC. There’s more information and research available online, but the perpetually arising question is whether CBD is capable of managing pain and how it works. So, let’s break down the nuances.

CBD is a natural remedy for chronic pain

Several studies show that CBD has a significant analgesic effect, reducing both acute and chronic pain in animal models. It also reduced inflammation and attenuated hyperalgesia in a mouse model of diabetes-induced neuropathy. However, it was not effective in all chronic pain models.

Many forms of CBD are available, and many are legal for use. These products can be purchased online, at health food stores, and in some pharmacies. They can be inexpensive alternatives to medical treatments for chronic pain, and you can use them right at home. It’s also important to note that you should consult with a doctor before trying CBD.

In clinical studies, CBD showed a positive impact on the symptoms of chronic pain by inhibiting the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that triggers pain. The effect of CBD is particularly notable in reducing neuropathic pain, which is caused by damage to nerve cells. Additionally, CBD has antioxidant properties, which neutralize tissue-damaging chemicals. Additionally, CBD helps people with chronic pain get better rest by promoting sounder sleep.

The use of CBD has also been shown to be effective in treating various conditions, including kidney transplant pain and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. However, it was not as effective in generalized chronic pain, although it improved quality of life and sleep. CBD has not been used in humans for long, but researchers have found evidence that it can help manage chronic pain.

Many forms of CBD are available, and many are legal for use. These products, including CBD ream, can be purchased online, at health food stores, and in some pharmacies.

Chronic pain is often accompanied by anxiety and depression. Symptoms of pain often result in reduced sleep and a feedback loop that leads to an increased level of pain. CBD may help alleviate these symptoms by raising levels of the “happy” hormones serotonin. Studies indicate that CBD can increase serotonin receptors, which are important for our mood and anxiety.

It has anti-inflammatory properties

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a promising candidate to treat many forms of chronic pain. The benefits of CBD as an anti-inflammatory agent have been reported by numerous studies. It has also been shown to be effective against spinal cord pain and multiple sclerosis. These findings are encouraging because CBD can be an effective treatment for both acute and chronic pain.

Although the effect of CBD on pain, anxiety and sleep is well-established in preclinical studies, the evidence for its use in clinical practice remains limited, especially in rheumatic diseases. Therefore, it is essential to have adequate knowledge about the potential of CBD for these conditions before prescribing the drug to patients. In a study, CBD reduced cell viability, proliferation, and cytokine production. It also increased intracellular calcium and reduced the production of RASF-derived IL-6 and MMP-3. 

Besides its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD has antioxidant and analgesic properties that make it useful for pain management. It also suppresses the production of inflammatory cells and increases the production of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which help fight inflammation. In addition, CBD inhibits the adenosine transporter, which promotes the signaling of anti-inflammatory receptors.

It reduces the side effects of chemotherapy

There is a growing body of evidence that CBD can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. It can increase chemotherapy potency and decrease the dosage while reducing chemo-associated pain and cognitive dysfunction. It can also increase a patient’s overall quality of life. This can make it an attractive option for patients with cancer, as it is relatively safe and easy to integrate into a comprehensive treatment plan. However, there are some caveats to its use.

CBD has also been shown to reduce neuropathic pain, an unpleasant side effect of chemotherapy. In a placebo-controlled trial, it was shown to be more effective than other analgesics in the treatment of pain associated with chemotherapy. In addition, the study also revealed that it did not increase the risk of dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. As a result, patients can use CBD as a complementary treatment to other analgesics.

Animal studies have also shown that CBD inhibits the progression of certain cancers. Specifically, it inhibits the growth of cancer cells and inhibits angiogenesis. In mice, CBD reduced tumor size and increased survival. In humans, CBD can also inhibit the expression of several pro-oncogenic factors.

CBD has anti-proliferative properties, which may protect normal neural tissue from damage caused by radiation. External beam radiation therapy is used to treat brain tumours and is commonly combined with chemotherapy. This treatment, while highly effective, can cause severe damage to healthy brain tissues, including adult neurons and endothelial cells. In addition, CBD increased the effects of U-radiation, allowing patients to use lower doses of radiation.

It reduces muscle spasms linked to multiple sclerosis

Some scientists believe that CBD can help patients with multiple sclerosis improve their muscle tone and mobility. This may be due to its ability to reduce pain and spasticity while also reducing fatigue. Regardless of its exact mechanism, CBD has been shown to be effective in the treatment of MS patients.

However, there are some important caveats when using cannabinoids for the treatment of spasticity. While cannabinoids have positive effects on patient-rated measures of spasticity, these effects have not been consistently replicated in larger studies. Additionally, very few studies have looked at cannabinoids in conditions other than multiple sclerosis. In addition, there are not enough studies on pediatric patients to provide adequate evidence for clinical use.

A review of published clinical studies on CBD has suggested that CBD may reduce muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. It is important to note that studies have been conducted on patients with multiple sclerosis who had not responded to traditional treatments. The researchers noted that CBD may interact with other medications, and it is, therefore, crucial to consult with a physician before beginning treatment with this compound.

In addition to relieving the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, CBD is also believed to reduce muscle soreness, one of the most prominent symptoms of the disease. Experts believe that muscle soreness is a side effect of muscle spasticity and muscle weakness, which CBD might reduce.

A review of the available literature suggests that CBD may reduce muscle spasms and improve overall patient health in patients with MS. The authors also note that it may have beneficial effects on bladder function, sleep, and quality of life.

It reduces inflammation

If you suffer from joint pain, you may be interested in trying CBD for managing pain. CBD helps to reduce inflammation, which is one of the most common causes of joint pain. It works by modulating the immune system and regulating joint inflammation. In addition to reducing joint pain, CBD can also help keep joints active and prevent further damage.

CBD is a natural substance that helps reduce pain without any side effects. It is an effective way to manage chronic pain and is safer than painkillers, which are highly addictive and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. While CBD is often used by itself to reduce inflammation, it can also be used in conjunction with other medications, like NSAIDs.

Inflammation can be temporary or chronic and can affect our quality of life. Acute inflammation occurs after an injury or physical activity. The body responds by boosting blood flow to the site, which causes redness and warmth. White blood cells also rush to the area to promote healing. However, this process can lead to fluid leakage and swelling of the injured body part.

CBD can be used topically or taken as a tincture. The easiest form of CBD for pain management is tinctures, which are available in small glass bottles with a dropper. CBD tinctures are usually fast-acting and can be applied directly to the affected area. Some products even have skin-moisturizing properties.

 

Lebanese install solar panels to survive energy crisis

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Lebanese install solar panels to survive energy crisis
solar panels installation, Lebanon
Solar panels installation, Lebanon (credit: AFP)

Lebanon is facing a severe energy crisis forcing people to run private generators for switching on light bulbs and refrigerators. This is following decades of government corruption and an economic collapse in 2019.

In recent months those who are lucky may only get power for a couple hours a day. 

But the Lebanese who can afford it have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Despite the high set up costs, Lebanese are starting to invest in private solar panel systems. Solar panels are driving the opium trade in Afghanistan, and they are driving Americans crazy when they can’t figure out the connecting to the grid — but as their Greek cousin Plato once said, necessity is the mother of invention.

“With the current conditions we are living in, solar energy is no longer an alternative – it’s a necessity. If we didn’t install panels, villages wouldn’t have any electricity,” said Elie Gereige, an engineer and volunteer who spoke to i24.

The state-run electricity company in Lebanon is responsible for 90 percent of Lebanon’s energy production, but it is running out of cash, leaving many without a source of reliable power. As wealthy countries like Canada and America now know, the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine is hurting the entire global village, doubling the cost of fuel to run cars and power stations. 

According to i24, people are taking the responsibility into their own hands, turning to a solution that was once considered a luxury. Now they can keep the lights burning for 17 hours a day. 

solar panels in Lebanon
Credit AFP

Many Lebanese own diesel generators but they are too costly to run, plus they are loud and polluting. To afford the new panels, Lebanese have been selling their cars, land and jewellery. Similar stories were circulating last year in Syria.

But millions of people in the region are still are burning fuel in generators to survive. War or mismanagement in the Middle East has decimated the electrical grid.

Diesel generators are like national suicide

Experts call it national suicide from an environmental and health perspective, according to a report released by the AP:

“Air pollution from diesel generators contains more than 40 toxic air contaminants, including many known or suspected cancer-causing substances,” said Samy Kayed, managing director and co-founder of the Environment Academy at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.

Greater exposure to these pollutants likely increases respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular disease, he said. It also causes acid rain that harms plant growth and increases eutrophication — the excess build-up of nutrients in water that ultimately kills aquatic plants.

Earlier last month DW reported on the new solar energy rush in Lebanon: Mohamad Mahmoud Hariri, a 43-year-old living in the nation’s third-largest city of Sidon, said while he had suffered power outages for years,  things are far worse now than in the past. 

“Without electricity, everything stops. I am convinced that things are going from bad to worse, and that the state cannot solve this problem,” he said.

Hariri said that electricity prices soared following the onset of the economic crisis, pointing out that monthly rates now equal or exceed the average monthly salary of many Lebanese. 

He chose to invest in renewable energy by installing a solar panel system three months ago. Hariri paid $3,000 USD for the system, which allows him to consume around 10 amps of electricity in the morning and 3 amps at night. But in winter months, he will be forced to decrease consumption as the system produces less energy from cloud coverage and shorter days.  

Banks have even begun offering loans to those looking to install solar power systems. However, not everyone has been able to afford solar energy, even though prices have dropped significantly over the past decade. 

Prices range from $3,000 for a 5-amp system or $9,000 for a 20-amp system; prices that are out of reach for most Lebanese. 

Even after installing such a system, people still needed diesel generators, as solar panels alone cannot supply the entire energy required by a household at all times. 

We’ve been covering renewable energy solutions for the Middle East since 2007. Interim solutions for survival can include thinking creatively. How about solar powered cookers used by Gazans when the power goes off? Or applying for microfinancing through platforms like Kiva.

 

Marine Pollution in Kuwait and what we can do to protect our ocean

Green Prophet
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0
Marine Pollution in Kuwait and what we can do to protect our ocean

Kuwait city, towers on the beach

Kuwait enjoys a strategic location in the Arabian Gulf with a coastline spanning about 200 miles if you include the islands dotted along the region. Like Dubai it also has a series of artificial islands with some of them bringing new bird species to the region. However, this beautiful coastline like many others is a victim of marine pollution. 

Marine Pollution in Kuwait

Despite the efforts of the Kuwaiti government to protect Kuwait’s marine environment, there are several issues we need to tackle when it comes to marine pollution in Kuwait:

Declining Fish Stocks 

There has been an apparent decline in marine life in Kuwait waters over the last few years. Coral reefs, marine turtles, and vulnerable fish such as shrimp, silver pomfret, suboor, hamoor, and frush are some of the most affected animal species.  

Marine Pollutants in Kuwait

Most research conducted on marine pollution in Kuwait reveals a number of marine pollutant sources:

Sewage discharge

This is the biggest source of pollution for the Kuwaiti Ocean. Traces of oil, petroleum, hydrocarbons, trace metals, residual chlorine, and other suspended particles have been found in the ocean. The most probable cause for these is oil and petrochemical industry, power plants, and other sewage dumping activities. 

Oil spills

With the Arabian Gulf being a major shipping point for oil transportation, oil spills are unavoidable. It is estimated that around 2 million barrels of oil are spilled in the Arabian Gulf annually as a result of tank washing and dirty ballast waters. And there is more spillage from military operations and oil production operations. 

Ship waste dumping

Ships often dump their chemical and vessel waste in the ocean. This includes domestic waste, sewage waste, oil, and even fishing gear.

Dredging

Due to land reclamation, the Kuwaiti waters are also a victim of dredging. This destroys fish spawning grounds and makes the river banks unstable. 

Fresh water shortage

The ocean along the coast of Kuwait is extremely salty. This is because fresh water from the Shat Al-Arab and Karon River is restricted due to the water dams along these rivers. 

What Can We Do To Protect Kuwait’s Ocean?

When we hear that our ocean is in trouble, it’s easy to feel powerless. While most of the action rests at the hands of businesses and government, there’s still a lot we can do to help save our ocean: 

Check The Label

When buying anything, opt for sustainable businesses. These businesses are making a conscious effort at helping our environment by taking steps to reduce their carbon imprint. 

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 

You can help decrease the effects of climate change by reducing your own carbon footprint. This can be done by reducing energy use. Turn off the lights when not in use. Unplug electronics and opt for walking and riding a bike. 

Minimize Plastic Use

Cut down on your plastic usage, especially single-use plastics. These plastics usually end up in the ocean which severely impacts our marine life and adds to marine pollution in Kuwait. 

Eat Sustainable Seafood 

When buying seafood, look for eco-certification. If you don’t find one, ask your retailer about the source of your seafood. Demand eco-certified seafood from your retailer and favorite restaurant. This guide on sustainable fish in the region might help –> 7 Gulf fish probably okay to eat.

Be Ocean Aware 

Educate yourself and others. You can do this by watching documentaries, signing up with Ocean Awareness companies, and discussing the impact of marine pollution on the world.

Sign up and Help 

Become an advocate of the ocean. Sign up with NGOs like I AM Ocean Minded, the first-of-its-kind NGO in Kuwait aiming to improve the ocean mindset by creating an ocean-minded community. They conduct beach cleanups, awareness campaigns, and other communal activities to make a difference. 

 

How to Make Your Property Landscaping More Eco-Friendly 

Bhok Thompson
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How to Make Your Property Landscaping More Eco-Friendly 

xeroscaping, Spain

New landscaping tips, like xeroscaping to up your eco

Whether you’re beautifying a rental property or just improving your own front yard, landscaping has the power to completely change the look of your house and yard. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to disrupt local ecosystems – at least to a degree.

If you want to minimize your environmental impact while maximizing the function and image of your landscape, there are some important strategies you’ll need to follow.

The Many Benefits of Eco-Friendly Landscaping

You’re probably reading this article because you’re genuinely interested in making a difference when it comes to environmental impact. That’s great, but you should also know there are secondary benefits to practicing eco-friendly landscaping. 

As you’ll see, many of these strategies and habits allow you to reduce your reliance on energy and water, ultimately saving you money in the long run and potentially saving you time as well.

Hire the Right People

Your first responsibility will be hiring the right people. If you work with the right landscapers, who are familiar with sustainable landscaping practices, you’ll have an easy way to get recommendations for the best eco-friendly additions. 

On top of that, you’ll have reliable assurance that the job will be done properly. If you work with a property management company, they may be able to recommend an excellent landscaper in the area who can do sustainable work. 

As an added bonus, they’ll have professionals supervising the job to make sure it’s done properly – and they may be responsible for maintenance after the work is completed.

Focus on Native Plants

One of the best things you can do for your yard to improve its environmental friendliness is to focus on native species of plants. Native species are ones that have evolved in this specific ecosystem, so they do a much better job of supporting local wildlife. 

If you plant native species, you’ll never have to worry about invasive species disrupting the local ecosystem. You might even find medicinal plants growing in your backyard.

As an added bonus, because native plants are specifically acclimated to this location and climate, they generally require less care. These are hardier and less expensive plants, making them advantageous in many ways.

Consider Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping with the intention of allowing your plants to survive drought-like conditions. Originally developed for desert areas, anyone can practice this landscaping trend. Why is it considered environmentally friendly? The main reason is because it doesn’t require much water to thrive. And if they need a bit, consider re-routing the drip pipe from your air conditioner water to hydrate your cactuses. 

These plants can survive with little to no water, so you won’t need to expend hundreds of gallons to keep them alive. Cutting back on your water usage is a great way to live a more sustainable life.

Mow the Grass Higher (and Leave the Clippings)

Consider mowing your grass higher and more frequently. When you’re done, leave the clippings on the ground rather than harvesting them. Grass clippings contain significant amounts of water, nitrogen, and other nutrients, making them excellent for the health of your yard. This way, you’ll end up using less water and less fertilizer – and your yard will look better as well.

Add Paved Areas

In pursuit of using less water, why not consider paving over certain areas of your yard? Most of us love the appearance of a yard filled with grass, clover, and other sources of greenery, but these can be resource intensive. Add some pavers where the grass can grow through or make an outdoor kitchen to cook while keeping the air conditioner off.

Install Solar Fixtures

Another way to make your yard more eco-friendly is to install certain solar fixtures. If you have the budget for it, you can install solar panels (or install them on the roof) and gain immediate access to a sustainable, clean source of energy. Read our DIY solar stuff here. 

If that’s not in the cards for you, you can install solar activated lights to illuminate your pathways without needing to expend electricity unnecessarily.

Harvest Rainwater

Assuming you’re permitted to do so in your city, consider using rain barrels to harvest rainwater. This way, you’ll have access to more water without tapping into your utilities. Not only will you be living a more sustainable lifestyle, you’ll also reduce your water bill, ultimately making this a universal win.

Compost

Home composting is highly valuable, both for you and the environment. You’ll get an easy way to get rid of most of your old food scraps, you’ll reduce your footprint in landfills, and you’ll end up with a rich material that you can use to fertilize your soil and grow crops. 

Best of all, composting is ridiculously easy once you understand the basic fundamentals – and you can continue practicing it indefinitely.

With these environmentally friendly strategies, you can make sure your landscaping has a minimal impact on the environment without affecting the appearance or resale value of your lot. 

Just make sure you work actively to maintain it so it remains as beautiful as the day you finished it.

How to improve IVF success rates

Karin Kloosterman
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0
How to improve IVF success rates
newborn baby
Hyaluronic acid (HA) enhances the ultimate success of IVF. 

While some environmentalists plan to never have children to save the world, most people at some point desire to have a child. Maybe you can help raise the next generation that will save our planet. But as the age of women who have their first child increases, fertility rates decrease. Some eventually turn to IVF and after many rounds of hormones, only about 30% of the cycles take. With the outrageous costs to the healthcare system and the moms-to-be, Israeli scientists have found a way to increase the odds of success. This is the second study we’ve reported on IVF this year. The first one is how anti-virals can freshen up IVF eggs. 

Add hyaluronic acid for better IVF success

Worldwide, around 10 to 15% of couples have infertility problems. Many turn to artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs), most notably IVF (in vitro fertilization), or home insemination in the hope of having a baby. However, a method of improving the success of IVF has been clearly identified in a systematic review of high-quality clinical trials – carried out by a team of researchers at Kaplan Hospital and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU), led by Dr. Devorah Heymann. 

Their findings were published in Human Reproduction.

In IVF, an egg is removed from the woman, fertilized in a dish and then, a few days later, the embryo is implanted in her womb.  While in the dish, the embryo is kept in a liquid, or culture medium, that supports its development.  Scientists at the Hebrew University review established that the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) to this medium enhances the ultimate success of IVF. 

This significant finding was the result of a detailed systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcome of all high-quality clinical trials where HA was either added or not added to the culture medium.

“We found that exposing an embryo to HA for more than 10 minutes prior to its transfer to the womb, increased the likelihood of a birth from 32% to 39%,” shared Heymann.  The most marked success was in cases for women who had a poor prognosis of success.

Furthermore, the increase in birth rate was only seen in cases where a woman was implanted with her own fertilized egg and not in cases where donor eggs were used. “This could be because donor eggs tend to be of higher quality,” explained Heymann. The main benefit being seen in poorer quality eggs.

Although HA naturally occurs in the female reproductive tract, its role in improving IVF outcomes is unclear and “more research is needed,” suggests Heymann. Meanwhile her prime concern is that IVF clinics act on the findings of this review. “However,” she noted, “hyaluronic acid is expensive, and this might mean it is not as widely used as it should be.”

Confessions of a circumcised Muslim woman

Sabrina Binti Kassim
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Confessions of a circumcised Muslim woman
circumcision Islam, hiding face, woman in hijab hiding her identity
In Islam, not all women are against circumcision and there are different degrees. Maybe there is a point of view you have never heard about? Sabrina sends a letter to her best friend in England, talking about the intimate idea behind female circumcision in Islam. Sabrina walks us through what Americans call a hoodectemy.

Dear Lisa,

How are you keeping dear? I hope you and Rolf are settled down in Suffield by now. Keep working on your marriage. Rolf is a wonderful guy and I’m sure he’ll get all intimate with you once things have settled down.

And I have some great news for you, I got circumcised! Remember we were discussing this sometime ago after you shared an article about FGM [female genital mutilation – learn the difference here between FGM and what’s prescribed in Islam] and inquiring if it was true all Muslim girls had it done. Do you remember how I denied it, oh the fuss I made, Muslim girls and women genitally mutilated, no way!

But in hindsight, thank you dear for sharing it. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing they say. As you know I come from a mixed family who did not care too much about religion, and so I decided to ask my hubby about it. And believe me, he said Yes, Muslims do it.

What I yelled “You mean women have no right to their clitorises!”. Aslem tried to calm me, but I went on “Oh great, next thing I know, you’ll want me cut too. Do you know how important the clit is to a woman. You know better, you insist on stimulating it with your tongue all the time before we have sex. And now you tell me a Muslima must be without it, huh!”.

I lost my cool and went on a harangue, but Aslem was so understanding. He told me very frankly yes it’s a must, but that it’s not what I thought it was.  No. then what is it? I shot back. He told me it was a very simple thing really and that even American women were getting it done. It’s just that the foreskin of the clitoris is removed, like in the case of little Muslim boys. Uh ok I said “So why didn’t you tell me about this before, if you are so religious you would have told me on our wedding night!”

Circumcision and Muslim women

What he told me next literally melted my heart. “Look Suby” he said “I wanted you to find out yourself and choose to get it done without any coercion on my part. I passed you some subtle hints though. Now do you know why I told you to wash your clit with soap or toothpaste before having sex, that’s because I wanted it nice and clean down there before we did oral.

“It smells bad when you don’t wash and it turns me off.  Also I know somebody who got throat cancer by indulging too much in oral sex and I read somewhere it’s because some germs, HPV or something, breed in the female foreskin, and when men pleasure their wives clits with their mouths and tongues, it gets to their throats and causes cancer.”

Oh how sweet of him! He never wanted to force me to do anything against my will and I love him for that. So you know what dear, I did my own research, and yes, it is there in Islam. There are so many hadiths (Prophet Muhammad’s -Peace Be On Him- sayings) that mention it and there’s even one statement that clearly says what must be done.

It is to take off the skin covering the clitoris and nothing more, and not all the skin, just the bit around the tip (glans) of the clitoris, and believe it or not, he says it brightens the face of the wife!

Americans call it a hoodectemy

Now you and I know what brightens the face means when becoming intimate with our men, don’t we dear? And imagine my surprise when I learned that classy American ladies were getting it done, not just to make their lady parts look nicer and be cleaner down there, but also to improve their otherwise drab sex lives! They call it hoodectomy over there. We call it sunat.

And so I took the plunge and got it done two weeks ago. I shaved off all the hairs from the lady parts and wore a long Arabic gown somewhat like an abaya after being advised by my sis-in law.

Hubby accompanied me to the clinic called Sunat House and waited in the visiting room, because men are not allowed in. And so there I was waiting for my turn! Oh, how nervous I was, excited too! Believe me there were so many women, including foreign women married to Muslims and little Muslim girls too. There were a few little boys too waiting to be done. 

A nurse called out my name and I quietly walked into the operating room. Imagine me of all people giving my lady parts to the scalpel! I consoled myself with the thought it would look rather pretty after its done, it would please hubby immensely and I would be fulfilling a religious duty as well.  The lady doctor that circumcised me assured me it was going to be painless while two nurses gently took my legs apart so she could administer the local anaesthetic. It hurt a bit though, like a few ants stinging down there all at the same time.

While I was there waiting for the anaesthetic to take effect I was fortunate to see a little boy of about three years being done by the same lady doctor. His parts had already been anesthesized and they were now going to circumcise him. He was held down by the nurses while his mummy was at his head comforting him. Although he muttered a bit he did not cry lustily as I thought he would and within about fifteen minutes it was over with mummy all glad that her little guy was now a man!

And then it was my turn OMG! They restrained my legs with some restraints hanging above while the doctor got to work, and believe it I did not feel a thing despite nearly a centimeter of skin being removed and stitched. Imagine that! The entire procedure took only about 10 minutes. I was helped into hubby’s car by the nurses and we were on our way home. Healing was swift and within a week I was all ready to enjoy sex once again!

labiaplasty Islam

And my, my dear, what an experience it was. I never had it so good. The oral with the entire surface area of the clitoris exposed is absolutely mind-blowing, and even the thrusts in the normal sex act is much more fulfilling now. Yes I enjoy sex much more now, I can proudly tell the world that!

You too must consider this dear Lisa. It’s very costly there I hear, but here you can get it done for less than a 100 dollars. There’s no such thing as a medical mafia here and I’m guessing they’re doing it as a service more than making money out of it.

Why not pay us a visit and get it done over here. Our country is encouraging medical tourism you know, and I’ll be sure to foot the bill- as a friend!

Yours truly,

Sabrina

 

Reader feedback Sept 15, 2022

A most courageous and informative article on circumcision! I only wish some Christian groups would also open up about being sexual active and interesting in marriage than the media portrays them. There appears to be a world-wide war on morals and religion?? 

Abortion would not be an issue if most men and women only had sex with people with whom they had an established, loving relationship and practiced safe sex.

At a recent protest, pro choice women were chanting and carrying signs—we F–K to cum, not to conceive. So they are hedonistic people who want pleasure without either morality or responsibility—aren’t they special ?? Sorry, being a self centered, irresponsible person ( male or female) is not a legitimate reason to take the chance of having to kill an unwanted baby. 

We require more responsible sex for our pets.

I truly believe that there are extreme circumstances in which abortion may be acceptable, but having almost 3,000 a day in the USA because too many men and women do not either practice safe sex or basic morals is not acceptable. 

Having grown up in a poor neighborhood there were not one, but two brothels literally across the street from our house. Some of my friends, both male and female became “sex workers”. I think I know the difference between sex as part of a loving relationship and cheap, soul sucking sex for $$ or thrills (??). 

So glad that you decided to continue your wonderful mission of furthering peace, understanding and a greener world.

-P, an environmental artist in Texas

September seasonal fruits and vegetables

Miriam Kresh
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3
September seasonal fruits and vegetables

image-jujube-fruit

Look for the exotic jujube fruit in Middle Eastern markets this month.

Jujubes (photo above, Latin Ziziphus jujuba), called dumim in Hebrew and sadriah in Arabic, are in season right now. But their season is short. Eat them out of hand, papery peel and all, or cook up a compote flavored with a little orange-flower water.  Jujubes, also known as red dates, are said to be calming and relaxing to a stressed-out soul.

A month of healthy pomegranates

September is also pomegranate month in the Middle East. There are lots of good reasons to eat pomegranates, apart from being able to bless them as new fruit on Rosh HaShana the Jewish new year. The markets are crimson with piles of this fruit, and it should stay in season for at least another six weeks.

Fresh yellow dates are another seasonal specialty here in the Middle East. They’re different from the dark dried dates available all the year in that they’re eaten fresh – but must be frozen to bring out their sweetness and moisture. Try ma’moul a traditional Arabic pastry stuffed with dates. Just substitute chopped dates for the nuts in the recipe.

Other fruit besides pomegranate: Mangoes are still plentiful. Bananas are not quite peak yet, but plentiful. Pineapples are to be seen but are most expensive.  All kinds and colors of plums are in the markets. Apples and pears, best in the cold season, have entered the market but are not beautiful yet. Many varieties of table grapes are available now; wine grapes are already being harvested.

mangoes are summer season fruit
Mangoes – exotic, delicious. Luscious.

Lemons are more abundant than in hot August but prices are still high. Wait till it’s rained once or twice for the citrus to come in, plenty and sweet.

Going out of season: Fruit that will be out of season soon are limes,  passiflora (passion fruit), dragonfruit, watermelons, honeydews and cantaloups,  peaches and nectarines. Sabra fruit is on market stands now, freed of (most) prickles. Figs are still in, but not for too much longer. Same for lichees.

Vegetables: Tomatoes in all their varieties are very plentiful now, with prices low. The same for cucumbers, zucchini, onions, and red and white cabbages. Bell peppers and hot peppers are also abundant and cheap now. How about some pickled peppers? Leeks are looking sturdier than they did in August. Lettuces, all varieties, are in season. Mushrooms, not depending on any particular weather as they’re mostly grown indoors, are excellent.

Radishes and eggplants look attractive and there’s plenty of them. Sweet potatoes are coming down in price as their season approaches. Cauliflower and broccoli are starting to look firm and plump and are worth buying again. Green beans and yard-long beans are also coming into season, but will be cheaper, hopefully, in a week or two. Pumpkins and butternut squash are good.

Kohlrabi, that knobbly cousin of the cabbage, is also good now – buy small, sweet ones to slice and marinate briefly in lemon juice, salt and olive oil. Serve raw, as a salad.

Root vegetables: Carrots, celeriac, and beets are fine now. Red and white potatoes are too. Parsley root, mostly used to flavor soup, is still thin and dry-looking. Wait till winter for fat, sweet parsley roots that can be baked like potatoes.

Herbs are improving since the peak of summer is past. Looking good now are parsley leaves, celery, dill, rocket, Swiss chard, spring onions, and especially, basil.

Fresh olives will be appearing shortly. Try our recipe for pickling olives at home.

image-pomegranates

Even more recipes for September’s seasonal produce:

Photos of jujubes and pomegranates by Miriam Kresh

Invasive species of the Mediterranean Sea

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Invasive species of the Mediterranean Sea
Cefalu, Sicily
The Med region is changing as hundreds of new species invade. Can you imagine floating in Cefalu with killer jellyfish?

The Mediterranean Sea is being invaded by hundreds of species of fish, jellyfish, prawns and other marine species from outside the region. This happens when we create artificial waterways like the Suez Canal or when ships release bilge water into new territories. According to a new United Nations report (we covered the last one in 2018 here) there are now more than one thousand non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. 

The waters we love may never be the same. And these invaders are pushing out native species causing fishermen to adjust.

It’s already impossible to go swimming on the beaches of Gaza, Tel Aviv, or Beirut in July when the jellyfish that came from the Red Sea invade. What’s next?

Your favorite fish might go extinct

Over half of the invaders have established permanent populations and are spreading, causing concern about the threat they pose to marine ecosystems and local fishing communities, says a United Nations group called the FAO. 

“Climate change and human activities have had a profound impact on the Mediterranean and the Black Sea,” says Stefano Lelli, a fishery expert for the eastern Mediterranean working for the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean: “We have witnessed a swift and significant alteration of marine ecosystems, and this has led to several impacts on local communities’ livelihoods. In the coming years, we expect the number of non-indigenous species to continue rising. 

invasive species sea
Click on the image above or here to access the full UN report

This regional fisheries management body, established by FAO, is leading efforts to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It works with fishers, conservationists, scientists and government authorities to better understand the rise in non-indigenous species and help countries improve their mitigation and management measures. 

provence sea shore

How Climate change is making the Mediterranean Sea Tropical

The Mediterranean Sea is undergoing a “tropicalization” process as water temperatures rise, largely due to climate change. In addition, many species have migrated via well-travelled shipping routes such as the Strait of Gibraltar or the Suez Canal, often attached to the hull of ships or inside them in the ballast waters.

Other species, such as the Pacific cupped oyster and the Japanese carpet shell, were introduced for aquaculture during the 1960s and 1970s and have since escaped and colonized Mediterranean ecosystems. 

Invasive, poisonous silver toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), also known as Abu Nafhal in Arabic. Local fishermen in Jaffa, Israel know it’s poisonous and have seen it for decades on Israeli shores.

Once established, non-indigenous (or non-native) species can outcompete native ones and alter their surrounding ecosystems, with potential economic implications for fisheries and tourism or even human health.

What is an invasive species? 

Non-indigenous species (NIS) are called invasive when they cause either ecological, economical damage, or pose a threat to human health. Marine invasive species can pose major threats to biodiversity by altering community structure and function, and by modifying ecosystem processes, which can have long-lasting ecological and economic consequences

For example, six poisonous and venomous non-indigenous fish species, such as pufferfish (pictured above), lionfish and several jellyfish species, are now present in the eastern Mediterranean and can be toxic to humans if touched or ingested. 

Invasive species pose threats to either human health or inflict ecological and/or economic damage. The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a Lessepsian species, is one of the most harmful species in the Mediterranean Sea, because of its potent neurotoxin, impacts on marine biodiversity, and the increased costs and labor they inflict on fishers. It was first reported in Turkey in 2003, but it’s been sighted as washing up on beaches in Israel, Turkey and Greece.

Since the catch and consumption of this pufferfish is prohibited by almost all countries bordering the Mediterranean, they have now expanded into the entire Mediterranean and Black Sea. Read a scientific report on them here.

Regions of concern listed in the report include Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Syria and Turkey. 

Turning a threat into an opportunity 

Fishers all over the region have been affected by this trend. However, with support, they are finding new ways to turn these invasions into opportunities.  

In southwest Turkey, where invasive species can account for 80 percent of the catch in some areas, fishers are gradually creating new consumer and export markets for species like lionfish, urchins and Randall’s seabream.  

Lebanon is also training fishers to capture non-indigenous species, encouraging consumers to try them. “Red Sea goatfish and lionfish are some examples of non-indigenous species becoming a source of income in Lebanon,” says Manal Nader, Associate Professor and Director of the Institute of Environment at the University of Balamand in Lebanon.  

In Tunisia, two non-indigenous species of blue crabs, which were threatening traditional fishing, were turned into a lucrative business when the FAO and the Tunisian Government helped connect fishers to new markets. We wrote about the blue crabs here. The same is happening in Spain and other parts of the Mediterranean, triggering  research programmes to manage these species.  

Protecting native species of fish

“International and regional cooperation as well as concerted action are needed to tackle non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean and Black Sea,” says Bayram Öztürk, author of the GFCM’s study on non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean (links to PDF).

Bayram Öztürk

“Needless to say, the impacts of non-indigenous species need to be monitored by all countries in the region. Once a species is introduced, it may be too late to eradicate.” 

We covered a similar FAO report in 2018. See how they compare.

How AI Is Making Buildings Smart and Intelligent

Bhok Thompson
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0
How AI Is Making Buildings Smart and Intelligent
floating home, energy saving
Every home should feel like an eco oasis, and it can be done by saving energy. Here’s how it can be done using AI.

How AI Is Making Buildings Smart and Intelligent

One of the most important components of smart buildings is AI. Without it, a building can hardly be considered intelligent since, without it, owners and managers would be unable to provide the safest and most comfortable environments possible for their tenants.

In order to collect data from many sources, a building platform needs first to acquire information from the building management system and other smart technologies. One good example is Infogrid. It should then feed this data into an adaptable, scalable cloud-based platform that standardizes the data and saves it safely. However, that does not yet qualify as a smart building.

The actual innovation occurs when using a platform with built-in AI. By integrating and enhancing intelligence throughout a building or estate, these technologies enable better building operation for its occupants. This includes modeling building and equipment performance as well as accounting for data from the building’s systems and outside input like weather or traffic. 

In turn, this enables machine learning to continuously optimize building areas to cut down on energy use and waste.

For instance, energy savings can be achieved by automatically reducing electricity use in low-traffic areas, by watching sensors around a facility, and by making decisions in real-time based on the data. This helps the building’s bottom line and the environment while ensuring that its people are constantly comfortable.

The following are ways in which the use of AI influences the intelligence of buildings.

Realizing smart and sustainable construction goals with AI in buildings

Large amounts of useful data are gathered from every nook and cranny of a structure with the aid of inexpensive, easily accessible, and sophisticated IoT devices. Data collection has the potential to provide managers with useful operational insights for making decisions if it is properly examined and processed. 

AI also plays a big part in turning raw data into usable intelligence. The information acquired would be useless or senseless without this remarkable technology. Building managers may increase asset utilization, increase tenant comfort, and ensure operational efficiency to a greater extent with AI. This is exactly what you get by using Infogrid.

Building maintenance

Everybody wants the areas of their buildings to be hygienic, maintained, and secure. Building managers may guarantee that the buildings are consistently clean and secure by partnering with expert cleaning companies. 

Every nook and cranny of a building can be captured in detail by sensors and cameras. When this data is loaded into an AI tool, it can alert building management to areas that need immediate cleaning, improving the experience for residents.

Management of water

90% of our time is spent indoors. Consider the volume of water we use each day for a variety of uses. An average American household uses 300 gallons of water daily at home, according to a ballpark estimate. Consider how much water is used on a global scale. 

Resources for water are running out. So, it’s crucial to think about how much water we use and take the necessary steps to cut back. Therefore, building managers need to keep a tight eye on how much water each family or office is using. 

However, it is extremely impossible to manually keep track of water usage. Here, AI can be quite helpful.

Parking support

In today’s fast-paced world, parking is a big problem for many. Finding a parking spot might take a significant amount of time when visiting any new location. People would rather not interact with other people unless it is absolutely essential. 

AI may be very important in these situations. Parking lots can be studied using the pressure sensors on the ground and the several cameras nearby. When fed with this information, an AI parking tool will analyze parking spot utilization and provide comprehensive information on vacant spaces. 

Visitors may access detailed information about available parking spaces with just a few taps on their smartphones. In fact, the app will direct users to the proper parking space. Such support will enhance the experience of tourists while also reducing energy use. That is the strength of AI and smart structures.

Detection of Fault

To maintain safety, buildings must be continuously checked for problems and anomalies. Building managers require a committed group of experts to oversee building upkeep in order to do this. 

Nevertheless, depending on how complicated the buildings are, this could turn into a hassle. AI has the capacity to continuously process data from a variety of sources. The AI tool will examine inputs, look for trends, and uncover undiscovered information about any problem or technical issue. 

For instance, sensors and cameras installed in the lift will record data regarding the lift’s operation. An AI tool will then evaluate the data to determine whether the lift is operating properly or is likely to malfunction. Then, proactive corrective measures can be implemented before the lift ceases to work properly.

Occupancy Monitoring

The use of AI helps to build owners track how people use their building. As a result, you, as the building owner gets to create a safer working environment for your staff.  Infogrid is one of the best platforms in the market for the occupancy monitoring system.

Putting AI to use for you

nest labs google

The most crucial factor in smart building technologies is that they function as intended. Every building manager, operations executive, or health and safety officer may connect to the platform and make decisions based on real-time data, which is why AI is such a powerful tool. 

This results from building a scalable cloud platform that assists in monitoring and taking action on anything from HVAC to access control to occupant experience to fire detection. However, anyone can use AI; it’s not just people who are in charge of the building’s operations. 

Nowadays, many smart buildings give their technology to every resident, whether they work in an office, are teachers, CEOs, or nurses. With the touch of a finger, visitors may reserve conference spaces or operating suites, get directions from A to B, or alert maintenance when something is amiss with smartphone apps that are specific to your building or estate.

By implementing the right AI technologies in the right ways, building management firms may be transformed, becoming more aligned with tenant organizations’ businesses, providing the experiences that tenants need and want, and supporting their own operations and financial health. 

In addition, making buildings smarter – or wiser overall – will help us overcome some of our most difficult obstacles, particularly the strict net-zero and sustainability standards that enterprises must now meet.

How to Create an Island for Family in a Digital World

Bhok Thompson
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0
How to Create an Island for Family in a Digital World
Steiner school kids
Parents who send their kids to Steiner schools know that smart phones make kids dumb. There are other options for keeping kids in contact and safe. 

The digital world can be a complicated place. While there are positives, there are also negatives that could impact your family’s mental and physical activity. A good way to keep your family safe online is by creating an island. No, not an actual island, of course. But a safe place for your family to exist online. To create this island, you need to integrate the right tools, set clear rules, and keep yourself and your family educated. Here are a few tips to help: 

1. Choose The Right Device

The first step to making tech safe for your children is to choose the right device. While this might seem simple, with so many different gadgets available, it can be hard to choose. Sure, you want your kids to have fun with technology. But, most importantly, you want to keep them safe. 

Thankfully, there are gadgets designed specifically with children in mind. Whether you want a safe phone for kids or a kids smart watch, you can find the perfect device for your child. Unlike some gadgets that come with access to the internet, kid-friendly devices don’t usually have this feature. 

In Turkey there is a village that uses bird calls instead of smart phones.

They also don’t come with access to social media, games, or certain types of messaging. This means you won’t have to worry about your child spending too much time on social media or reaching out to strangers. Opting for children-friendly devices can help your kids learn about technology, without giving them too much power. 

2. Do Your Research

Chances are, there are things you don’t know about the digital world. You’re not alone, especially considering how quickly trends evolve and disappear. With that said, one of the first things you should do is educate yourself. After all, the only way to keep your kids safe online is to know what’s out there. 

junktion telephone lamp

Have your children mentioned any popular games or apps? If so, download them and spend some time using each one. Not only should you try these apps out yourself, but search them online as well. There’s a lot of information online that you might not notice in real-time. For example, you might not realize that Snapchat has a feature that lets people see users’ locations. While you can turn this feature off, it’s not something you’d know to do without being aware. 

The more research you do, the more informed your decisions will be. You’ll also probably feel better about your kids using certain apps after spending time on them yourself. 

3. Create A Tech Contract

To keep your family safe, it’s important to set up some tech rules and guidelines (aka a tech contract). This contract should be unique to your family, based on each of your schedules and interests. For instance, if your daughter doesn’t watch television, your tech contract probably doesn’t need to focus on that type of device.

If there are any apps you don’t want your kids to use, make sure that’s stated on the contract. You also want to set expectations for how and when your kids can use their devices. For example, maybe technology is banned from the dinner table or on weeknights. Whatever rules you decide on, clearly write them on the contract. 

You should also come up with consequences for anyone who breaches a rule on the tech contract. Let’s say your contract states phones aren’t allowed to be used after 8:00 p.m. If your child ignores that rule, a consequence might be taking their phone away for a whole day.

4. Use Parental Controls

According to research, almost 40% of parents say they use parental controls to monitor their teen’s online activities. Parental controls are a great way to protect your children. You can use these tools to keep your kids from spending too much time on technology by setting time restraints. Parental controls also can prohibit them from visiting inappropriate sites.

There are several options available when it comes to parental controls. You could download software, like Norton Family, or an app like Bark. With both, you can customize your child’s online experience. From setting time restraints to blocking certain websites, you can manage what your kids have access to and for how long. Again, these are only two of the many options available. 

It’s also worth mentioning that you don’t have to download anything if you don’t want to. Most devices come with free built-in parental controls you can set up directly on your child’s phone. 

5. Have Tough Conversations

Monitoring your child’s online activity is important. But the truth is, you can’t monitor them forever. Your children will eventually grow up and have more online exposure. That’s why it’s important to also teach your kids how to be safe online. 

To start, have a conversation with your child about technology. Talk about the benefits as well as the negatives. Make sure your kids know about cyberbullying, tech addiction, and the influence social media can have on mental health. 

It’s no secret that social media can be damaging. Excessive social media use has been linked to depression, anxiety, and a host of other issues. One reason is that social media causes people to make comparisons. Even if done unintentionally, it’s all too easy to compare your life to the perfect pictures online. It’s crucial your kids have the tools to understand the difference between what’s real and what’s posted online.

Technology can be a great resource, but it can also contribute to serious issues. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to create a safe place for your children. Tech use can introduce new threats and dangers, but you can create a safe space using these tips. Teach your children how to responsibly use technology, and the advantages of the digital world should outweigh the consequences.

 

Yemen’s hunger reaching dire state

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Yemen’s hunger reaching dire state
locusts in Yemen
Yemenis are often overrun by locusts which attack their food supply.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, also known as Unicef, has just released a report from the field in Yemen, the driest country on earth, that millions of people, including children, are at serious risk of hunger. The problem extends to Sudan, Lebanon and Syria.

On August 31 Unicef reports that aid is needed now for 58 million people, including about 30 million children in Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria with Yemen at highest levels of risk for starvation.

This is in tandem with a polio outbreak which threatens to become a pandemic.

Last week, Yemen’s al-Masirah television network reported on Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population as confirming that the Saudi-led blockade on Yemen has raised acute malnutrition rates to more than 632,000 children under the age of five and 1.5 million pregnant and lactating women.

“The siege and intense bombardment with prohibited weapons caused a high rate of congenital abnormalities and miscarriages, with an average of 350,000 miscarriages and 12,000 malformations,” it emphasized.

Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States and other allies in the region launched a war against Yemen’s rebels. An ensuing 8 years of war have left hundreds of thousands dead. 

The plan was to reinstall the Riyadh-friendly regime of Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and crush the popular Ansarullah resistance movement, which in place of a functional government has left Yemen in shambles. 

Ticking time bomb oil tanker

Yemen is also one of the driest countries in the world. And it is where rebels control access to an oil tanker that could explode at any moment.

A ship was taken over by the Houthi militias in March 2015, when they took control of the coast around the port area of Hodeidah. The Houthi movement officially called Ansar Allah (Ansarullah) and colloquially simply Houthis, is an Islamic political and armed movement that emerged from Sa’dah in northern Yemen in the 1990s. They are supported by the Hezbollah.

FSO safer oil tanker, red tanker, off coast of Yemen
An abandoned oil tanker with more than 1 million barrels of crude is rusting off the coast of Yemen.
FSO Safer location from above
Location of FSO Safer oil tanker – it could ruin the Red Sea

They are not allowing international groups to move the tanker.

“The growing risk that the Safer oil tanker could rupture or explode causing an environmental, economic and humanitarian catastrophe for Yemen and its neighbours,” the UN Security Council has admitted.

Without a hijab? Iran’s surveillance cameras will track and punish you

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Without a hijab? Iran’s surveillance cameras will track and punish you

Like China  – using AI and surveillance cameras to pinpoint people breaking lockdown –  Iran’s morality police are using technology to catch women without a head covering, the hijab. Going in public without a hijab is a moral sin in Iran.

The heavy-handed Islamic extremist government of Iran is insistent that women, whether they chose to practice the religion or not must have their heads covered by the hijab. Until now morality police stopped women on the street, with recent incursions resulting in violence (see videos below). Enforcement has stepped up and Iran is now using security cameras and facial recognition to ID violators. 

Iran was once a thriving, liberal country in the Middle East and Tehran was often compared to being the Paris of the Middle East. An intolerant regime over the last 30 years has created an exodus of Iranians with the means to escape, and those without the means to live under an iron fist –– and now surveillance cameras.

What is the hijab?

In modern usage, hijab refers to headcoverings worn by Muslim women. While Islamic head coverings can come in many forms, hijab often specifically refers to a cloth wrapped around the head, neck and chest, covering the hair but leaving the face visible.

While some Muslim women chose to wear the hijab (read dispelling the hijab myth here) there are many who don’t. And not complying with the rule might land you a fine, in jail or worse.

Radio Free Europe says that authorities in Iran are planning a video surveillance campaign that will install cameras in public places such as subways and sidewalks.

Wearing a hijab in mandatory in Iran for women, even if you don’t define yourself as a Muslim. Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews and agnostic people live in Iran but the country has a bad history of persecuting other religions, its oldest religion especially.

camera Iran

In a video published on social media, Mohammad Saleh Hashemi Golpayegani said this new measure is based on the July 5 order by President Ebrahim Raisi to enforce the so-called hijab and chastity law. It is the first time that an official in Iran has publicly admitted the presence of facial recognition technology in public surveillance cameras. 

Special security forces have been enforcing the law on the streets for decades.

At the top of Iran’s power structure is the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the father of the Iranian Revolution, upon Khomeini’s death in 1989. Khomeini and Khamenei are the only two men to have held the office since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

Golpayegani is the secretary of Iran’s Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil, which is responsible for determining and enforcing  “proper” Muslim and Islamic models in society.

Golpayegani has previously said to the media that women who publish their pictures without a hijab on the Internet, on let’s say Instagram, will be deprived of some social rights for a period of six months to one year.

If you are judged to be non-compliant here’s what might happen to you:  you won’t be able to enter government offices, you will be denied entry to banks, and you won’t be able to use public transportation.

VIDEO of women taping morality police

Women who don’t comply might also be “disappeared” and whisked away into vans. This is what has happened to the past to well-known bloggers we’ve interviewed like Hossein Derakhshan and to Faranak Farid who was beaten and tortured for trying to protect a disappearing salt lake, Lake Orumieh, in Iran. 

Guidance Patrols, or the morality police in Iran are known for becoming increasingly active and violent. The head covering worn by Muslim women became compulsory in public for Iranian women and girls over the age of 9 after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Some “extreme” practices in Islam are also misunderstood. Read here from our Muslim writer about khitan, or circumcision in males and females.And if you missed the link earlier in the article, here is an op-ed we published that dispels the myth of the hijab as weakening women. The author of the article presents herself without a hijab.

Bats didn’t transmit Covid: new study

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Bats didn’t transmit Covid: new study

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fruit bats hanging from a cave

One of the prevailing and perhaps most comforting theories about the emergence of Covid, is that it was a coronavirus transmitted to humans by bats. But new research from scientists in Israel refute the theory which points to the opposite: bats have a highly effective immune system that enables them to deal relatively easily with viruses considered lethal for other mammals.

The Tel Aviv University study rejects the origin of the COVID-19 outbreak is in bats. The study was led by Maya Weinberg and Prof. Yossi Yovel who reviewed dozens of leading articles and studies in this field, and summed up their findings in iScience Journal. Israel has a long history studying the biology and ecology of bats. 

The researchers explain that the infamous reputation of the bats is well known among both – the scientific community and the public at large, that they are often accused of being reservoirs of viruses including Covid-19, thus posing a threat to public health. In the present study, Weinberg sought to disprove this erroneous theory and show that bats play an important role in exterminating insects, replanting of deforested areas, and pollination of a number of crops.

mayan weisberg holding a bat
Maya Weinberg

Weinberg explains: “In general, bats are mistakenly conceived of as reservoirs of many contagious disease, only due to their being positive serologically positive; in other words, in possession of antibodies, which means that bats have survived the disease and developed an immune response.

“After that they overcame the virus altogether and disengaged from it; hence, they are no longer its carriers. Nevertheless, in many cases, a virus similar to a human pathogen is liable to be found in bats; however, it is not pathogenic to humans, and is not sufficient to use bats as a reservoir.”

In the study the researchers did a meta-analysis of the literature and checked the finding for over 100 viruses for which bats are considered potential reservoirs: Ebola, SARS, and COVID.

“We found that in a considerable number of cases (48%) this claim was based on the incidence of antibodies or PCR tests, rather than actual isolation of identical viruses. Moreover, many of the reported findings are not convincing,” the researchers say.

The mere isolation of a virus is not enough to see an animal as a reservoir, since a minimum number of index cases is required in which the virus is isolated in order to be considered a reservoir animal, as well as the existence of an established path of transmission, the researchers explain.

Anthropogenic conditions must exist in order for such an event to occur the scientists sum up.

After over 100 years of focus on viruses carried by bats, it appears that bats’ immune system is characterized by a restrained response during inflammatory processes. Bats have developed an excellent balance between resistance and tolerance: an increased defense response of the host, and immune tolerance through a number of different mechanisms. 

To conclude, Weinberg adds: “the comprehensive study we’ve conducted raises serious doubts regarding the possibility of bats being the origin of the Covid19 outbreak.

“The findings give rise to the opposite perspective, according to which we must study in-depth the immunological anti-viral capabilities of bats, and thus obtain new and effective means of coping in humanity’s struggle against contagious disease, ageing and cancer.”

So how did Covid emerge? Is the jury still out? China meanwhile is pushing out Covid research papers to show it didn’t start there.

What’s the Connection Between Agile Methodology and Automated Testing?

Bhok Thompson
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0
What’s the Connection Between Agile Methodology and Automated Testing?
inside-mars-biodome
Before entrepreneurs figure out how to grow food on Mars, they used the agile method to test and pivot in order to make the right cleantech solution.

The agile methodology used in all areas of green tech and renewable energy projects involves incremental, continuous growth through frequent software releases to the market. In this case, you are trying to maximize the value delivery to the users and minimize the risk of building software that doesn’t meet user needs. Automated testing is an agile methodology that is very vital. Without it, the agile methodology might be less effective and take a lot of time.

Before adopting automated testing method, you need to understand what is automation testing, the best tools to use and the best practices to adopt. It’s the most effective approach to test for the new features that are added to the software before delivering it to the market. Test automation is highly preferred in agile methodology because it saves time and resources, unlike when carrying out most processes manually. There is also high efficiency in regression testing, which ensures that the newly added features do not impact the software’s existing functionality. With automated testing, you can create test cases that will run automatically whenever a new code is pushed to the repository for a particular application.

ecoppia like a roomba for solar panels
Ecoppia is a solar energy robot that uses software to make sure the panels are clean and sucking up the most energy from the sun

So, where can you apply automated testing in agile methodology?

API/Web service testing

Web services are the medium through which two applications can exchange information. This can be in requests and responses without interfering with the underlying technology used in designing the application. Simply, it’s all about sending requests and validating the response.

To perform web service testing, you write programs to call the web service methods and validate the values returned. It’s even possible to test the service for various combinations and permutations. If possible, have data be tested in an excel sheet for your program to read it. It will then call the testable services bypassing the test data as the parameter and validating the test results.

Repetitive tasks

Test cases that seem to be repetitive should be automated. Automation doesn’t mean that sophisticated automation test tools/technology should be involved in the process. You can implement automation for repetitive tasks using a simple VB macro or a Java program with JavaScript to solve a particular issue. 

It’s easier to make several errors when testing repetitive test cases. With time the process becomes mundane and tiresome. By automating these test cases, your testers will spend less time on the tasks. Most repetitive tasks do not require higher-order thinking and can quickly be completed with automation test tools.

Testing behind the GUI

It’s comparatively easier to test behind the GUI than to automate the actual GUI. One of the main advantages of testing behind the GUI is that the functionality remains the same regardless of the UI changes. Testing behind the GUI focuses mainly on the business logic and different rules; thus, the functionality of the different features is not affected.

For this test, the test cases are usually written in tabular format. This could be in a spreadsheet and code snippets that can accept data input from the tables and return the expected results. The returned results are generated immediately, providing an excellent platform for the non-technical stakeholders to run the test cases and compare them with the expected results.

Build and deployments

Automated testing is highly applied in build and deployments in agile methodology. There are usually predefined builds for the traditional environments that can take a week or two. Sometimes they can even take a whole month to get done. One of the biggest challenges facing these builds is that you must wait for the predefined dates to get all the bugs fixed. And this means there is usually a delay in the release of new features.

By the time you finish testing and detecting several bugs to be fixed, some team members will have moved on to different implementation pieces and are likely to have very little interest in resolving bugs in the older applications. Eventually, this delays the time for making the features to be implemented available in production.

Testing non-functional requirements

Testing non-functional requirements manually can be a complex process. Some non-functional requirements that should be tested include reliability, performance, installability, usability and security. Finding a tester with in-depth knowledge to define the non-functional requirements is usually a big challenge. As more organizations embrace agile methodology, there is a need for continuous focus for each sprint.

You will have to analyze the technical data, design experiments and ask successive detailed questions to quantify the expectations of the non-functional requirements. After that, then document the non-functional requirements. In agile, the non-functional requirements usually cut across the entire system, especially where special consideration is highly needed. Continuous testing for the non-functional requirements will ensure that you deliver a viable product with consistent features and functionality.

Benefits of agile testing automation

Agile testing automation leads to faster execution as automation test tools improve the development’s overall efficiency. The earlier you can find several glitches, the easier the process and the lower the cost of fixing several defects. Using automated testing in agile methodology allows the reusability of test scripts for repetitive test cases. 

Eco-Friendly Upgrades Every Homeowner Can Make

Bhok Thompson
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Eco-Friendly Upgrades Every Homeowner Can Make
Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67 is considered a sustainable dream design

Homeowners are becoming more interested in fixing up their houses instead of getting another one, as it can be too expensive to get another one. If you are tired of your current house, following specific remodeling tips and fixing it up can make it feel like new. It can also add value, making it more attractive to potential buyers. 

Preparing for a Remodel

Whether you are looking to renovate the entire home or just want to make a few upgrades, it pays to do your research. Compare the price with the return on your investment. Just because one contractor offers cheaper prices does not mean their quality of work will be the same as someone else who might charge more. If your remodeling plans are looking more expensive than you have budgeted, you may want to consider taking out a personal loan to help cover the cost. The return on your investment can cover the initial expense.

Non-Toxic Carpeting

If you want to replace your carpet or install new, know that not all types are the same. Many types of carpeting, as well as the adhesives used, have certain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Plus, inhaling them can be dangerous over time.

Faig Ahmed

The good news is non-toxic, eco-friendly carpeting is becoming more popular, and there are many more options available now. Using carpet instead of hard floors can also be friendlier to the environment because they help conserve energy in the winter. They can help keep warmth in a room so you don’t need to turn the heat on even more. Look for options made from more natural materials, such as seagrass, wool, or jute. It’s a good idea to pick low-VOC adhesives and materials.

Consider Adding Skylights

Much of your energy usage comes from the use of artificial lighting. If some rooms do not have windows or the light from those windows is insufficient, you might end up using artificial lighting throughout the entire day, even if it is bright and sunny outside.

mars-science-city-skylight
Watery skylight in Mars Science City

This is where skylights can come into play. The sun can provide natural lighting, even if it is cloudy that day. Natural light can reduce the cost of energy. Plus, some skylights even open, so you can let fresh air in when it’s nice outside. Opening the windows on low humidity days can reduce humidity inside, preventing mold from building up in spaces that might otherwise be closed off.

More Landscaping to Add Curb Appeal

Adding more landscaping can make your house look more attractive on the outside, and it can also boost the resale value. Curb appeal is one of the biggest things potential buyers look at, as it can impact their first impression. However, traditional landscaping practices, such as the use of pesticides or frequent watering, have not been friendly to the environment. Luckily, today, you can find a range of eco-friendly solutions that allow you to have a beautiful space while taking care of the environment. 

Consider researching plants that grow native to your geographic area and adding those. They are already used to your particular climate, so they will need fewer treatments for diseases or pests in the area. You can even create a rain garden in your front yard. It’s shallow and shaped like a bowl so it can collect excess rain runoff from the driveway, gutter, and lawn. They can attract butterflies, and they also help prevent erosion in the area. You don’t have to stop at one, either. Putting in more than one means you won’t have to take care of as much grass, so there won’t be as much fertilization, mowing, watering, or maintenance.

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