Category Archives: Biology/Health

Biology/Health, History, Law

Progress, pushback and Indigenous Rights – David Suzuki

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The Kebaowek First Nation’s legal challenge against Canadian Nuclear Laboratories over a proposed nuclear waste facility near the Ottawa River illustrates how progress on Indigenous rights often meets resistance. In a landmark ruling, Justice Julie Blackhawk affirmed that Canada’s commitments under the UNDRIP must meaningfully inform federal decision-making. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories appealed the decision, arguing against application of the UN Declaration Act and the requirement to obtain free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous nations.

Uncertainty is also being used by opponents of Indigenous-led marine protected areas. They promote and leverage the fears and uncertainties of concerned small businesses while also opposing the interests of other small-scale operators, including recreational fishers, that support MPAs.

It’s a familiar refrain: Those with established power seek to prevent change, hiding behind the concerns and doubts of community members, but quickly turn on them when it’s in their interest to do so.

In Manitoba, pushback against a Parks Canada initiative to establish corridors to maintain or restore ecological connectivity is rooted in scare tactics about Indigenous governance, among other fears. At a standing committee on environment and sustainable development meeting in 2024, a policy adviser for the hunting and fishing advocacy group the Manitoba Wildlife Federation said, “When you turn management over to Parks Canada, to Indigenous protected areas or to different control mechanisms that are not by elected officials, how is there any accountability?”

For the entire article you may follow the LInk:

https://davidsuzuki.org/story/progress-pushback-and-indigenous-rights/?utm_source=mkto-none-smSubscribers-readOnline-body&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scienceMatters-enviroPushback-en-03apr2026&mkt_tok=MTg4LVZEVS0zNjAAAAGg8fubvP7OIsH8gpPu0DeVSvGTWkRshQIMnzBsbgpy_SOJmuWRlZLYmLIvfCsFikdxG2N6XIVukty0es57Is5Ix9WCLIxBrj0RDhd1JWaJvoKY2w&fbclid=IwY2xjawRHVxNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzZXRyRXZMSHVFUFpRbERZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnyZopg4CvdvFtFdJA_SNVKj6BWhDCSsRgYRrqK75Tk9AKtg8NXoU1PuMGN-_aem_l2hSM7UBH1zf07Z_7B0vDQ

#Native, #indigenous, #Rights, Land, #Industrial Development, #Canada, #David Suzuki

Biology/Health

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

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Indigenous women and girls make up less than 5% of the Canadian
population but represent approximately 24% of all homicide victims. They are 12x more likely to be murdered. Over 60% of Indigenous women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

A Statistics Canada report showed that 56% of Indigenous women experience intimate partner violence, more than double the rate for non-Indigenous people.
—Amnesty International

https://archive.org/details/missing_202604

THE MEANING OF THE RED DRESS

The MMIW Red Dress Project is a symbol of awareness and remembrance for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) epidemic that has plagued indigenous communities across North America. This powerful movement began in 2010 with Canadian artist Jaime Black’s installation, which featured red dresses hung in public spaces to draw attention to the staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Since then, it has become a global movement advocating for justice, recognition, and action to address this crisis.

The choice of red dresses as the central motif of this project holds deep significance. Red symbolizes both the bloodshed and the resilience of Indigenous women and girls who have been victimized and marginalized. The dresses tell the story of a missing sister, mother, daughter, or friend whose absence leaves a void in their communities. By placing red dresses in public spaces, the project demands that these stories be seen and heard, challenging society to confront the systemic issues that perpetuate violence against Indigenous women and girls.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is a silent phenomenon. These women and girls not only disappear physically, but their experiences with violent victimization are often absent from data and media reports.

May 5 marks the National Day of Awareness and Action for MMIWG. In commemoration, UNCW annually provides a platform to raise awareness about this silent crisis and gender-based violence, both inside and outside the classroom. (US)

Since 2021, UNCW’s awareness-raising events have included the Red Dress Project, panel discussions to empower Indigenous women to speak out against gender-based violence, and solidarity walks and candlelight vigils to foster healing, education, and justice. Students also develop research and documentation projects around the stories of victims and survivors, contributing to a growing body of work and understanding of this issue.

MissingDownload

#Missing; #murdered; #Indigenous; #Native; Women; Flyer Designer~ Nadia Ahmed;

Biology/Health, Uncategorized

What to Avoid when taking Ibuprofen – Village Life

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From medications to supplements to alcohol, nine ibuprofen interactions to watch out for — and in some cases, and avoid.

Alan Lucks for Doctronic

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Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications. While it’s effective for headaches, muscle aches, and fever, it’s not without risks when combined with other substances. Interactions can increase the chance of side effects like stomach bleeding, kidney damage, or reduced drug effectiveness.

Knowing what to avoid while taking ibuprofen is essential for your safety. Doctronic breaks down nine important ibuprofen interactions to watch out for, explaining why they happen and what signs to look for.

Key takeaways

  • Ibuprofen can interact with a variety of medications, supplements, and substances, potentially causing serious side effects or reducing effectiveness.
  • Common interactions include blood thinners, lithium, certain blood pressure medications, and other NSAIDs.
  • Alcohol and some foods can worsen ibuprofen’s side effects, especially on the stomach and liver.
  • Always consult a healthcare professional before combining ibuprofen with other drugs or supplements.

Medications and supplements to avoid when you’re taking ibuprofen

1. Ibuprofen and blood thinners

Combining ibuprofen with blood thinners such as warfarin or newer anticoagulants can increase your risk of bleeding. Ibuprofen itself can irritate the stomach lining and affect platelet function, which helps blood clot. When paired with blood thinners, this effect can become dangerous.

Signs of bleeding include unusual bruising, bloody stools, or prolonged bleeding from cuts. If you’re on blood thinners, talk to your doctor before using ibuprofen or opt for safer alternatives.

For full article you may check the Link on Village Life;

https://www.village-life.ca/life/what-to-avoid-when-youre-taking-ibuprofen-12105725?utm_source=sootoday.com&utm_campaign=sootoday.com%3A%20outbound&utm_medium=referral

health; #Ibuprofen; #Meds Interactions; #Risks;

Biology/Health, History, Law, Islam, Religion

How the Jews of Judea became the Arabs of Palestine

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Modern DNA tells a surprising story: the Palestinian Arabs are more genetically connected to the ancient Israelites than the European Jews who displaced them. This is the untold story of how today’s Palestinians can trace their roots back to the Bronze Age Canaanites and to the people who once built the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Historical religious Records: Jews – converted to Christianity – converted to Islam;

The Genomic History of the Bronze Age Southern Levant

Highlights

•Analysis of genome-wide data for nine sites from the Bronze Age Southern Levant

•Contemporaneous samples from multiple sites are genetically similar

•Migration from the Zagros and/or Caucasus to the Levant between 2500–1000 BCE

•People related to these individuals contributed to all present-day Levantine populations

Summary

We report genome-wide DNA data for 73 individuals from five archaeological sites across the Bronze and Iron Ages Southern Levant. These individuals, who share the “Canaanite” material culture, can be modeled as descending from two sources: (1) earlier local Neolithic populations and (2) populations related to the Chalcolithic Zagros or the Bronze Age Caucasus. The non-local contribution increased over time, as evinced by three outliers who can be modeled as descendants of recent migrants.

We show evidence that different “Canaanite” groups genetically resemble each other more than other populations. We find that Levant-related modern populations typically have substantial ancestry coming from populations related to the Chalcolithic Zagros and the Bronze Age Southern Levant. These groups also harbor ancestry from sources we cannot fully model with the available data, highlighting the critical role of post-Bronze-Age migrations into the region over the past 3,000 years.

Full Article – https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)30487-6

#Jews of Judea, #Arabs of #Palestine, #DNA, #Connection, #Religious Conversion, #Connection;

Biology/Health, Geography

Drax stop burning wood Pellets – saving forests

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Drax to stop burning B.C. wood pellets for U.K. energy: A significant milestone for the climate

March 12, 2026

səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Territories (Vancouver, B.C.) — International energy giant Drax has begun to phase out burning forest biomass from British Columbia at its power station in the United Kingdom. As reported by The Guardian, Drax will stop burning “controversial” wood from forests in Canada at its North Yorkshire power station within the next year.

This is a significant milestone. It demonstrates that burning forest biomass to generate energy at utility-scale is untenable and sends a warning signal to all governments and investors currently supporting the global biomass industry: this dirty form of energy is a weak economic proposition.

B.C.’s failure to properly protect old growth and enact a biodiversity law have been exposed on the international stage. As other countries examine their wood pellet supply chains, the facts are clear – there is no sustainable way to source biomass for export from forests in B.C.

This move by Drax follows years of political controversy and public outcry in the U.K. over the company’s Canadian sourcing practices. Most recently, a Stand.earth investigation confirmed that Drax purchased whole logs cut from old growth forests in 2024, and very likely in 2025. This conclusive finding adds to an existing body of evidence in reports, documentaries, and whistleblower testimony.

However, the broader problems with the biomass export industry in Canada continue. While the company will no longer burn biomass from B.C. in the U.K., Drax continues to hold a near-monopoly on wood pellet production in the province, and is likely to continue sourcing from old growth and primary forests to supply customers in Asian and European countries.

Drax to stop burning B.C. wood pellets for U.K. energy: A significant milestone for the climate

#Saving Forest; #stop; #burning wood pellets; #British Columbia; #Canada,

Islam, Biology/Health, Religion

Muslim Welfare Center – Charity &Women Care

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https://mwcanada.org


* MUSLIM WELFARE CENTER

SUPPORT LOCAL WELFARE​
We operate four food banks across Canada, serving over 112,000 people in 2024 alone. Hot meals go out to Toronto’s homeless every weekend, and seniors receive meal delivery twice weekly across the GTA. A long-term care facility is underway for seniors on the verge of homelessness.

This is what your Zakat funds. Give locally, help your neighbours in the holiest month.
SUPPORT GLOBAL WELFARE​
Since 2005, we’ve built 3,800 water wells across Pakistan, serving 321,000 people. Over 1,000 children attend our schools right now because of monthly sponsors. 75 deaf students receive specialized education that would otherwise be impossible for them.

Emergency relief reaches Gaza, Yemen, and Sudan through established partners. Your Zakat and Sadaqah Jariyah work across crisis zones and sustainable projects.

Support Women & Children In Need

When a drought strikes, women and children are the ones that are most at risk. This is why MWC supports pregnant women suffering in Tharparkar, a desert region of Pakistan.

Why Your Support Matters?

Your support will allow us to continue our lifesaving work in the desert region of Tharparkar.  Here’s what we’ve achieved and aim to build upon with your support:

Enhanced hygiene and disease prevention education to boost community health and support Pakistan’s healthcare system.

Focused maternal and child health initiatives to promote safer pregnancies and lower mortality rates.

Improved prenatal care contributing to healthier mothers and babies.

  • Nutritional education to help reshape dietary choices and reduce malnutrition.
  • Overcoming Challenges
  • Despite limited healthcare, harsh environmental conditions and other obstacles, we have implemented nutritional improvement initiatives, enhanced access to healthcare services, and provided specialized care for safe childbirth and prenatal care. 

#Muslim welfare center; #Zakat; #Islam; #charity; women prenatal and natal care, #children care;

Biology/Health, Geography, History, Law

Native Canadians – or Genocide Narratives

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Native people of Canada – or First Nations people – represent 5 percent of Canadian people (with different rates within different provinces)- with a rate of population growth; however – what exactly happened with the other 95 percent?!Excluding the Land possession – Doesn’t this sound like Genocide to anyone with a brain the size of a mustard grain?!

According to the 2021 Census, there were 1.8 million Indigenous people, representing 5.0% of the total Canadian population, up from 4.9% in 2016.

Genocide is the intentional destruction of a particular group through killing, serious physical or mental harm, preventing births and/or forcibly transferring children to another group. The term has been applied to the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada, particularly in the final reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (see also Residential Schools) and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry.

National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day are opportunities to learn more about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations people, Métis, and Inuit. This is also a time to honour the history, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous peoples, who have been living on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolution of the country. Using 2021 Census of Population data, let’s shed some light on these populations (https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/genocide-and-indigenous-peoples-in-canada)

Forced Living in Reserves without the Right to Leave – Historical Facts

  1. From 1885 into the 1940s, a pass system controlled Indigenous people’s movement, requiring those living on reserve to get written permission from an “Indian agent” (government officials) when needed to leave their community.

Reserves Today

Reserves are still vital land bases for Indigenous people across Canada, which continue to be classified as federal land but as self-governed by Indigenous people of their community.

Some reserves have the most concerning conditions in Canada, such as isolated communities with high poverty rates, substance addiction, suicide, unemployment, and mortality.

It is widely acknowledged that the cultural genocide and social disruption over generations by displacements, discriminatory legislation, and political neglect results in long-term hardships and hinder the re-establishment of social networks and stable communities.

UnSafe Driking Water – Boil Water Adisories

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1614387410146/1614387435325;

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1614387410146/1614387435325

More than 1.8 million Indigenous people

According to the 2021 Census, there were 1.8 million Indigenous people, representing 5.0% of the total Canadian population, up from 4.9% in 2016.

However, this growth was not as fast as in previous years. For example, from 2011 to 2016, the Indigenous population grew by 18.9%, more than double the 2021 growth rate.

For the first time, the Census enumerated more than 1 million (1,048,405) First Nations people living in Canada.

The Language Issues:

English and French are the two “Offiicial” languages of Canada, enjoying equal status, rights, and privileges in all federal government institutions, parliament, and courts. Established by the Official Languages Act (1969) and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982), this policy guarantees Canadians the right to receive federal services in either language

Isn’t it Strange that No Native Languages are official Languages – also Colonization Effect – and again every person may speak their Language – and I guess we use English for convenience; but then again technically speaking Canada should have a goverment language – which may happen to be English – due to colonization – and no official language as technically speaking – Canada and US have majority immigrant populations – so the majority of populations in major urban centers speak a Different language at home.

#Canada ; #genocide; #history; #Colonization; #boiling water advisories; #sucide rates; #poverty; #forced Sterilizations, #Language Issues and #History;

Biology/Health, History, Law

Why is European Blood so Unique? –

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Celtic History Decoded

The Hidden Links Between Blood Type & Ancestry…

Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:28 Blood Types and Rh-negative 2:11 Why Irish and Basque Blood is So Unique 4:29 Blood Types in Europe and the Americas 6:46 Rest of the World Blood Types 9:25

Why Rh-negative in Europeans? Does the blood running through your veins reveal something about your ancestry? Why is blood type O so common in Ireland and the Atlantic fringe, Rh-negative so elevated in Europe, while type B is dominant in parts of Asia? Well in this video we will uncover the Hidden Links Between Blood Type & Ancestry.

But before looking at why there is such variation across the world, lets quickly go through the main blood types. Now the ABO system classifies blood into 4 main groups, A, B, AB and O. This is based on whether red blood cells carry A antigens, B antigens, both, or neither, as this breakdown shows. And let me know what your blood type is in the comments below and where you are watching this video from. Now your blood group is determined by the genes you inherit from your parents. And on top of the ABO classification, there is the Rh system, most commonly referring to the RhD antigen. If you have the RhD protein on your red cells, you are Rh positive. If you lack it, you are Rh negative. Now look at this table. You can see how rare rh negative is around the world, at only 6% or so. Yet it is elevated in Europe, or in places with a lot of European ancestry, such as the US. But why is this? Well we will explore this connection later. Now each blood group in general can be either Rh positive or negative, which means in total, there are 8 main blood groups. And if you look at this table, you can see that O+ is the most common blood type in the world, found in around 42% of people. AB- is the least common of the main 8 types on the other hand. There is an extremely rare blood type that is often forgotten, called Rh-null (or nicknamed “Golden Blood”). Fewer than 100 people have ever been documented with this since its discovery in 1961, which lacks all Rh antigens. But how do blood types vary by populations in Europe and across the globe? Well if we start with Europe, two broad trends stand out.

Sources: Blood groups – NHS World Population By Percentage of Blood Types – World Atlas The magic of the world’s rarest blood type – BBC Future The rarest and most common blood types by ethnicity Blood type distribution by country – Wikipedia What Does Your Blood Type Say About Your Heritage? – DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) Farhud DD, Zarif Yeganeh M. A brief history of human blood groups. Iran J Public Health. 2013;42(1):1-6. Epub 2013 Jan 1. PMID: 23514954; PMCID: PMC3595629. Rare blood types – NHS Blood Donation Ancient humans evolved new blood types after leaving Africa | Science | AAAS Blood type distribution by ethnicity U.S.| Statista Rh blood group system – Wikipedia Iain Mathieson (2017) – Blood groups in ancient Europe Blood type distribution U.S. 2023| Statista Golden blood: The rarest blood type in the world – Big Think

#Blood Types, #European, #Irish, #Basque, #RH negative, #Statistics, #Celtic History Channel; #Stats,

Biology/Health, Islam, Religion

Fasting – Verses -Islam

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FASTING

Purpose of Fasting -To Attain Piety

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: 

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” [Al-Baqarah 2:183] 

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan? As humans, we are susceptible to sin and transgression. Fasting teaches Muslims to be pious, helping them restrain from worldly pleasures and focus on spiritual growth. The purpose of Ramadan is to establish a fixed training period where believers can overcome vices, learn virtues, and earn Allah’s (SWT) blessings. 

Surah Baqarah – Verses

183. O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous (God Fearing, Pious)

184. For a specified number of days. But whoever among you is sick, or on a journey, then a number of other days. For those who are able: a ransom of feeding a needy person. But whoever volunteers goodness, it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

185. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Guidance for humanity, and clear portents of guidance, and the Criterion. Whoever of you witnesses the month, shall fast it. But whoever is sick, or on a journey, then a number of other days. God desires ease for you, and does not desire hardship for you, that you may complete the number, and celebrate God for having guided you, so that you may be thankful.

186. And when My servants ask you about Me, I Am near; I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So let them answer Me, and have faith in Me, that they may be rightly guided.

187. Permitted for you is intercourse with your wives on the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to betray yourselves, but He turned to you and pardoned you. So approach them now, and seek what God has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white streak of dawn can be distinguished from the black streak. Then complete the fast until nightfall. But do not approach them while you are in retreat at the mosques. These are the limits of God, so do not come near them. God thus clarifies His revelations to the people, that they may attain piety.

188. And do not consume one another’s wealth by unjust means, nor offer it as bribes to the officials in order to consume part of other people’s wealth illicitly, while you know.

FASTING IS A SHIELD(From Hellfire)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.”

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَجْهَلْ، وَإِنِ امْرُؤٌ قَاتَلَهُ أَوْ شَاتَمَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ‏.‏ مَرَّتَيْنِ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، يَتْرُكُ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي، الصِّيَامُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ، وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏”‏‏.‏

Hadith – Sahih al Bukhari 1894;

the Gate of Ar-Raiyan

Narrated Sahl:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”

حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ يُقَالُ أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ فَيَقُومُونَ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ، فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ، فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ ‏”‏‏.‏

Key Hadith on Fasting:

  • Exclusivity of Reward: “Allah says: Fasting is Mine and it is I who give reward for it. [A man] gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake” Hadith 10 – 40 Hadith Qudsi;
  • Narrated Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
  • Joy of the Faster: “For the fasting person there are two times of joy: a time when he breaks his fast and a time when he meets his Lord” Sunnah.com.
  • Fragrance of Breath: “The smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk” Sunnah.com
  • Ramadan Forgiveness: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven” Arab News.
  • Character and Fasting: “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink” Sunnah.com. 

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied manifold. A good deed will be multiplied ten times up to as many as seven hundred times, or as much as Allah wills. Allah says: ‘Except for fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desire and his food for My sake.’ The fasting person has two joys, one when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord. The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk.”

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَوَكِيعٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ الْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ إِلَى مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ. يَقُولُ اللَّهُ: إِلاَّ الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ. يَدَعُ شَهْوَتَهُ وَطَعَامَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي. لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ: فَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ وَفَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ لِقَاءِ رَبِّهِ. وَلَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏; Sunah ibn Majah 1638

https://www.arabnews.com/node/933771/islam-perspective

Biology/Health, History, Law

The Relationship between Water Availability and First Nations Sucide Rates

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Abstract

First Nations experience disproportionate rates of suicide when compared to the general population. Various risk factors are identified to increase understanding of the prevalence of suicide among First Nations, but environmental dimensions of suicide are understudied. This study asks whether water insecurity, as reflected by long-term drinking water advisories (LT-DWA), has any bearing on the distribution of suicide in First Nations across Canada, and specifically in Ontario. To assess this, we established the proportion of First Nations with LT-DWAs in Canada and in Ontario that have had suicides occur between 2011 and 2016 through a review of media archives. This proportion was compared to census data on the proportion of First Nations with suicides in Canada and in Ontario between 2011 and 2016, and statistical significance of difference was determined through chi-square goodness of fit test. Overall, the findings were mixed. Nationally, there was no significantly difference of proportion of First Nations with LT-DWAs with combined (confirmed and probable) reported suicides occurring when compared to census proportions; however, at the provincial level, findings had significant differences. The authors conclude that water insecurity in First Nations, as indicated by the presence of a LT-DWA in First Nations across may be an important environmental dimension of suicide, contributing to enhanced risk for suicide in First Nations.

https://www.nccih.ca/634/Is_Suicide_a_Water_Justice_Issue__Investigating_Long-Term_Drinking_Water_Advisories_and_Suicide_in_F….nccih?id=4561&col=4

Ansloos, J., & Cooper, A. (2023). Is suicide a water justice issue? Investigating long-term drinking water advisories and suicide in First Nations in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4045.

1. Introduction

Suicide is one of the most urgent issues facing First Nations in Canada, with suicide rates approximately three times higher compared with the general population [1]. Global incident rates across a 60-year period suggest an upward trend of suicide among Indigenous peoples [2]. For First Nations in Canada, suicide is often cited as a leading cause of death for youth [3], and the leading cause of death for adults under the age of 44 [4]. Many risk factors are identified to increase understanding of the disproportionate prevalence of suicide among First Nations, but there is an urgent need to understand environmental dimensions. This exploratory study investigates one potential environmental dimension of suicide among First Nations: water insecurity.

1.1. Suicide among First Nations in Canada

As early as 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples categorized suicide risk factors for First Nations, including biopsychological factors (e.g., depression, substance use disorders), situational factors (e.g., disruptions to family life due to child welfare policies, off-reserve hospitalizations), socioeconomic factors (e.g., income levels, education levels), and cultural stressors (e.g., suppression of belief systems and spirituality, racial discrimination) [5]. Since then, a range of other demographic factors, including gender, age, and geographic location, have been found to have a significant bearing on rates of suicide among First Nations. Youth aged 15 to 24, men, and those living on reserve, are at higher risk for suicide [1]. Socioeconomic factors have also been consistently associated with high rates of suicide in First Nations [6,7,8]. Recently, household income, labour force status, education, and marital status accounted for 66% of suicide risk after adjusting for risk associated with age and sex among First Nations adults [1], demonstrating that socioeconomic factors have heavy bearing on suicide rates. However, to date, environmental dimensions of suicide among First Nations have received little research.

Qualitative studies have suggested that First Nations affected by a lack of access to safe drinking water are likely to have disproportionately high suicide rates [28] and that water insecurity may be associated with mental health issues in First Nations [36], which by extension might intersect with suicide risk. Among Indigenous peoples in Canada, more broadly, it has been found that mental health outcomes associated with suicide may be affected by climate change, and in particular changes to land, ice, snow, weather, and sense of place [37,38,39]. Related to this, research has shown that environmental changes and related damages to environmental infrastructure accompanying climate change are linked to enhanced psychosocial distress, which in turn might affect suicidality [37]. In a recent study among Inuit in Nunatsiavut, climate change enhanced the likelihood of suicidal ideation [40,41].

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/5/4045#Findings

https://archive.org/details/ansloos-water-insecurity-suicide-May-2023

Biology/Health, History, Law, Geography

Protect Canada’s Forests

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https://act.gp/4msndJJ

If you found out that at least $200 million of public funding went towards a single major corporation and its subsidiaries over the last few years, would you have questions about its operations? What if I told you they also managed 22 million hectares of forest across Canada [1]? Furthermore, what if they had global ties to a corporation with a documented track record of environmental and human rights violations [2]? Our brand new reports highlight the concerning lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the company that has been establishing itself as a logging giant across Canada for the last two decades: Domtar, formerly known as Paper Excellence and Resolute.
Forests are living, breathing systems that sustain life, not just resources to be commodified. And now, with the Carney government giving natural resource lobbyists (those hired to speak on behalf of industry behind closed doors) so much access, pushing for transparency and accountability has never been more important [3].
Add your name: Forests deserve answers 
These new reports trace Domtar’s extensive lobbying activity during a critical four-year period, when the company (operating under different names) was facing growing public scrutiny, attempting to silence us through legal action, and approaching a federal investigation [4, 5, 6].  Despite clear rebranding and a carefully crafted “green” image [7], serious transparency gaps remain. Domtar’s sole owner, Jackson Wijaya, has still not appeared before the House of Commons Committee—even after being formally requested to do so [8]. Canadians are being left in the dark about who truly controls the largest forestry company in the country [9] and what that control means for the future of forests and communities.
What the reports reveal is deeply concerning: The research shows that as Domtar ramped up lobbying ahead of federal scrutiny, it received over $200 million in public funding while facing environmental penalties and mill closures—raising serious questions about transparency and public benefit. This all reveals a stark imbalance: vast amounts of political access and public money flowing to one company, with too little transparency in return—at a moment when Canada’s forests are already under intense pressure from industrial logging, old growth logging, biodiversity loss, and a rapidly changing climate [10, 11, 12].
That’s why we’re calling on Domtar’s owner, Jackson Wijaya, to appear before the House of Commons Committee and fully cooperate with its work. Canadians deserve clear, public answers about who controls Domtar, what the company’s long-term plans are, and what its expansion means for the future of forests and forest-based communities across Canada.
 Will you now add your name to demand transparency and accountability from the logging giant that’s been taking over forests across Canada?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/paper-excellence-pulp-china-1.6772654

#Protect, #Canada, #Forests, #Logging, #PaperExcellence