Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech

Today, in a public statement about the ongoing incidents in Niger, the High Council of the Resistance for the Republic (HCRR) declared that:

“The situation currently prevailing in Niger calls for the mobilisation of all our fellow citizens. In a spirit of responsibility, the nation’s driving forces have decided to mobilise and unite their forces around a new framework for action aimed at bringing patriots together at national and international level.

In the coming hours, the High Council of the Resistance for the Republic will make its intentions known in order to contribute to the restoration of constitutional order and the full presidency of His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum.”

Hoop Dreams, The Meteoric Rise of Basketball Across Europe

By

Juan Sanchez Gil

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8 August 2023

Tracing basketball’s journey from an American import to a cherished European pastime, this article chronicles how the sport rapidly took the continent by storm. From improbable origins in a Springfield YMCA to rabid fandom today, relive basketball’s enthralling history in Europe through wars, political strife, and cultural revolution. Join us as we recount how basketball won over European hearts, fueled ambitious dreams, and became intrinsically its own on foreign soil. The long-shot story of how an indoor American recreation ascended to dizzying heights across the Atlantic will leave you cheering for more.

Basketball, a quintessentially American sport, has taken Europe by storm over the past several decades. Emerging from humble beginnings to enormous popularity across the continent today, the journey of basketball in Europe reveals a fascinating story of cultural exchange.

Unlike baseball or American football, basketball was not hampered by complex rules or specialized equipment. This allowed the sport to gain quick acceptance when introduced to Europe in the early 1900s. The simple requirements of a ball and a basket enabled basketball to take root rapidly, especially among youth.

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Origins

Basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by Canadian professor James Naismith. As an instructor at the YMCA Training School, Naismith was tasked with devising an indoor game to keep students occupied during cold New England winters. His solution involved nailing two peach baskets at opposite ends of a gymnasium and throwing a soccer ball into them.

This modest start spawned one of the most popular sports worldwide. Following basketball’s almost immediate adoption by colleges, the American Armed Forces spread the game internationally during World War I. U.S. troops brought basketball to Europe, kindling interest throughout the continent.

Early Growth

During the interwar period, basketball gained traction, particularly in eastern and southern Europe where French and American influence was strong due to military presence. Countries like Italy, Yugoslavia, and Poland emerged as early adopters.

The first continental tournaments were staged in 1935 for both men and women. Switzerland hosted the men’s European Championship while Italy held the inaugural women’s event. Lithuania took gold in the men’s tournament, while host Italy won the women’s bracket. This heralded the start of international competition.

Obstacles Emerge

The outbreak of World War II halted basketball’s growth in Europe. Leagues folded and equipment became scarce. In the postwar era, communist regimes in Eastern Europe viewed basketball as incompatible with socialist values. They promoted sports perceived to require greater cooperation like volleyball and soccer instead.

Countries controlled by the Soviet Union like Czechoslovakia and Hungary had to play covertly until the 1970s. Nevertheless, spirited fans kept basketball alive even through bleak times. The sport ultimately prevailed as communist regimes liberalized.

Resurgence & Growth

By the late 1940s basketball rebounded, as evidenced by the founding of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in Geneva in 1946. Building on renewed energy, the first Olympic basketball tournament was held in 1936 with 23 nations entering.

The inaugural FIBA World Championship took place in 1950 in Argentina. Gold medalists Argentina illustrated basketball’s expanding reach. The Soviet Union’s bronze medal foreshadowed their future dominance.

The advent of the European Champions Cup, now known as the EuroLeague, in 1958 marked another milestone. Club teams from across Europe competed in a new continental league. Real Madrid emerged victorious in the first season.

Professional leagues soon formed, starting with Italy in 1920. Leagues in France and Spain followed. The basketball craze was sweeping the continent again.

Eastern Europe’s Rise

From the 1960s through the 1980s, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia became international powers. Coaching systems and talent development programs propelled them to the forefront.

The Soviets captured three straight Olympic golds from 1988 to 1980 with powerhouse squads. Yugoslavia also medaled repeatedly by harnessing players from diverse republics. Their success put Europe in direct competition with the U.S.

Both nations won multiple World Cups during this period as well. European talent was blossoming and gaining recognition worldwide. Players like Drazen Petrovic of Croatia and Arvydas Sabonis of Lithuania entered the NBA, paving the way for others.

Continued Globalization

After the Cold War ended, basketball’s globalization accelerated further. More European stars like Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki joined the NBA. Foreign player restrictions relaxed, enabling greater migration.

The NBA also committed to expanding its popularity overseas. Exhibition and regular season games tipped off in Europe. Merchandise and broadcasting deals brought American basketball to European fans.

At the same time, the EuroLeague grew into the world’s premier international club league. Top clubs from all over Europe compete annually for the championship. Club budgets and salaries now rival NBA teams.

Basketball fever continues spreading across Europe. Youth participation has skyrocketed. NBA Europe now conducts camps and tournaments for prospects across the continent. The sport’s development remains in full swing.

Enduring Passion

In just over a century, basketball has remarkably evolved from an American novelty to a beloved European institution. The continent’s passion is evidenced by raucous sell-out crowds, intense team rivalries, and dedicated fans.

Europe has embraced basketball on its own terms while making unique contributions to the game’s evolution globally. From Lithuania to Greece, European nations have emerged as formidable basketball powers who now compete on level terms with the U.S.

While initially an imported American sport, basketball has become intrinsically European. The history reveals a dynamic process of cultural transmission, adaptation, and growth. The future surely promises continued development as basketball strengthens its place in the European sporting fabric.

How can telco’s really deliver on their sustainability promises?

By

Newsdesk

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8 August 2023

Many international telcos are now making concrete promises to reduce their emissions. A new player in the Belgian mobile telecom market, UNDO, is a next-generation sustainable company developed from the ground up to actively contribute to the fight against climate change. Customers get their own transparent and user-friendly tool to erase their CO2 emissions.

Sustainability is a ubiquitous concept in business today. However, in many cases, the initiatives amount to greenwashing – just marketing or minor adjustments in production. The fast-growing telecom sector also faces sustainability challenges. With daily smartphone use, a user emits 60kg of CO2 annually on average. It’s time for action, thinks UNDO, the new Belgian virtual mobile operator actively committed to the climate from start to finish. UNDO is a mobile operator designed to ensure the whole chain is right, so both the company and customers can contribute. User-friendly apps make it easier for customers to transition themselves. UNDO aims to catalyze a broad ecosystem with other sustainable and circular economy initiatives, starting in the heart of Europe.

Sustainable entrepreneurship expert Prof. Dr. J. Jonker provides commentary on this use case in an attached vision statement.

UNDO will plant a tree in Congo for every new subscriber from July 17, 2023 to offset emissions and reforest the planet. UNDO’s goal is building a community aware of choices that reduce climate impact. Developing user-friendly tech tools that allow everyone to simply and concretely contribute is essential.

UNDO General Manager Laurent Bataille explains: “Our driving principle is reversing the ecological impact human society has had. This can only happen by transitioning from self-serving to conscious and connected. It entails three things: First, measuring impact tangibly. Second, providing means to neutralize impact. Third, rewarding positive actions with recognition and connections with like-minded individuals.”

The UNDO app lets customers offset their carbon footprint. The UNDO calculator automatically measures emissions from device manufacturing, charging electricity, network usage, and SIM shipping. To avoid physical shipping, UNDO offers eSIM instead of plastic SIM cards.

By analyzing this data, UNDO calculates the mobile usage carbon footprint and lets customers offset via tree planting and other concrete sustainability projects.

Laurent Bataille: “In developing these tools, we prioritized user-friendliness. We have a unique calculator different from typical emissions calculators. We empower users to take responsibility and address climate change, preserve the environment, and build a sustainable value chain focused on people over profit. Moreover, we aim to build an ecosystem where users can connect with similar businesses. The UNDO ecosystem will catalyze the transition from unsustainable linear offerings to sustainable circular services. This sets UNDO apart as we remain transparent and embrace inclusivity.”

UNDO works with local partner IBI Village in Congo. IBI Village does ecological tree planting, as over 80% of the landscape was destroyed forest now bushy savannah with low fertility. UNDO aims to plant 25,000 acacia trees to create a carbon sink, directly contributing to challenges like climate change and biodiversity while benefitting the local community.

Thierry Mushiete, IBI Village co-owner says: “By partnering with UNDO, we engage in ecosystem services exchange where the telco supports reforestation, carbon sequestration, watershed protection. This collaboration provides financial support for our sustainability, contributing to ecosystem health and resilience. It aligns conservation with incentives, promotes inclusion, and connects operators with sustainability stakeholders.”

UNDO offers users a chance to connect to something bigger, aimed at social growth and development. Users can support local social initiatives like doctor visits, farm tools, or rehabilitating school infrastructure. To ensure transparency, the operator provides app details on spending sources.

Climate and sustainability are essential, especially for young target groups. But sustainable and ecological products/services are often expensive, making a climate-friendly transition difficult in daily life. UNDO brings the solution as the only carbon-neutral MVNO in Belgium at a competitive monthly cost, using the known Orange network.

Haiti: ‘Unimaginable violence’ against women, children, reports UNICEF

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8 August 2023

Haiti: ‘Unimaginable violence’ against women, children, reports UNICEF

According to UNICEF, nearly 300 confirmed cases were reported in the first six months of 2023, almost matching the total number documented over 2022 and close to three times the number in 2021.

“The stories we are hearing from UNICEF staff and partners on the ground are shocking and unacceptable,” Gary Conille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said in a news release.

“The growing trend in kidnappings and abductions is extremely worrisome, threatening both the people of Haiti and those who have come to help,” he added.

In most instances, children and women are forcefully taken by armed groups and used for financial or tactical gains. The victims who manage to return home grapple with deep physical and psychological scars, possibly for many years.

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Women and children are not bargaining chips

The overall situation in Haiti is catastrophic. Today, an estimated 5.2 million people, or close to half of the entire population, require humanitarian assistance, including almost three million children.

Children find themselves in the crossfire, or directly targeted, and women and girls face extreme sexual violence, as armed groups terrorize the population in their fight for territory and control, mainly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and also in other regions.

“Women and children are not commodities. They are not bargaining chips. And they must never be exposed to such unimaginable violence,” Mr. Conille said, calling for the immediate release and safe return of all those who have been kidnapped.

Health system on verge of collapse

On top of crime and violence, reports indicate that local healthcare systems are teetering on the brink of collapse amid a resurgence of cholera and severe malnutrition.

The increase in violence, looting, road blockades, and the pervasive presence of armed groups severely obstruct humanitarian efforts, making it difficult to deliver much-needed aid to affected communities, UNICEF said, noting that as months go by, it adds an increasing layer of fear and complexity to an already challenging environment for those delivering life-saving aid.

The assassination of the President of Haiti in 2021 plunged the country into a deep political crisis, which has been exacerbated by an unprecedented breakdown in security.

Armed criminal gangs are said to be “imposing a regime of terror” and violence in most parts of Port-au-Prince, severely impacting the humanitarian, human rights and socio-economic situation in a country already hit hard by poverty, disease and disasters.

Commitment to support those in need

The UN agency added that it stands steadfast in its commitment to deliver critical aid and support for Haiti’s children who have been impacted by these traumatic events.

Beyond its initial crisis response, UNICEF supports the children and victims of the crimes, and working alongside partners, provides life-saving assistance, ensuring access to medical care, psychosocial support, and safe spaces where children can begin the process of healing and recovery.

“I have witnessed the remarkable resilience of Haitian children, women and families as they face seemingly insurmountable challenges, refusing to surrender,” said Mr. Conille.

“However, their bravery is being met with increasing, unthinkable terror. It must stop now.”

Land and basic services are ‘your rights, not favours’, UN deputy-chief

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8 August 2023

Land and basic services are ‘your rights, not favours’, UN deputy-chief

Ms. Mohammed on Friday wrapped up a week of development-focused meetings with Government officials in the vast South American country with a stop in Belém, capital of the northern state of Pará, gateway to Brazil’s lower Amazon region.

During roundtable discussions about the future of the Amazon region with representatives of civil society and the private sector, the UN deputy chief exchanged views on the region’s plurality and how to integrate voices from Amazonians in global climate governance.

In a meeting on Brazil’s efforts towards zero deforestation with environment and climate Minister Marina Silva, the Deputy Secretary-General stressed that safeguarding the Amazon and conserving its biodiversity is necessary for the region and the world.

“We agree: the world needs bold leadership and more solidarity to stop the war on nature,” Ms. Mohammed said on Twitter.

These meetings came one day after the Deputy Secretary-General engaged in Belém with a diverse group of Amazonian youth representatives and quilombolas – inhabitants of historical settlements of people of African origin who resisted slavery.

‘The United Nations will carry your voice’

While in Pará, Ms. Mohammed visited indigenous land in Munduruku and spent time with the Mapuera indigenous tribe.

“I am here to hear you, to see you, to feel you, for those things that you asked for, and those things that are your rights,” she told members of the community.

She added, “I am visiting Brazil, but to visit Brazil without visiting the Amazon, is to not visit Brazil.”

Ms. Mohammed noted that she had heard what people had told her during the visit and that she would “take that voice to Brasília, to Belém, to New York, to the world.”

“You asked for transport, you asked for technology, you asked for land, you asked for basic services. These are not a favor, these are your rights,” said the Deputy-Secretary-General.

“And so, the United Nations will carry your voice, will amplify what we hear, what we see, and we stand by you, with those who are working in Brazil, who are working in Santarém, who are working in Belém, so that one day we will actualize those rights,” she stated.

On the first two days of her trip to the country, the Deputy Secretary-General and her delegation had several meetings with the federal Government in Brasilia.

She commended the Government’s efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discussed the importance of raising ambition at the global stage for the 2030 Agenda, climate action, and reforming of the international financial system.

Lounging on weekends is bad for your health

By

Gaston de Persigny

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8 August 2023

Sleeping in on lazy Sunday mornings or staying up late on Saturday nights is a weekly tradition for many people. New findings may have many thinking about disrupting their usual sleep schedule. Researchers from King’s College London have found that irregular sleep is linked to harmful bacteria in the gut, Study Finds reports.

This project, conducted in collaboration with ZOE, a personalized nutrition company, is the first ever to report multiple connections between social life or the shift in a person’s internal body clock when sleep patterns change between work and rest days, with a number of factors related to the stomach and nutrition (food quality, eating habits, inflammation and gut microbiome composition) within one group.

Previous research has shown that shift work disrupts the body clock and may even increase the risk of weight gain, heart problems and diabetes. However, the research team says that much less is known that our biological rhythms can indeed be affected by discrepancies in sleep patterns. For example, waking up early with an alarm on working days compared to waking up naturally on non-working days in people working regular hours.

“We know that major disruptions to sleep, such as shift work, can have a serious impact on health. This is the first study to show that even small differences in sleep time during the week appear to be associated with differences in gut bacteria types . Some of these associations are related to differences in nutrition, but our data suggest that other, as yet unknown factors may be involved,” lead author Dr. Wendy Hall of King’s College London said in a news release.

The composition of microbes in a person’s gut (microbiome) can negatively or positively affect their health through the production of toxins or beneficial metabolites. Specific types of microbes may even correspond to an individual’s risk of long-term health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Each person’s microbiome is influenced by the food they consume, meaning that gut diversity is highly adjustable.

Studying 934 people from the ZOE PREDICT study, the largest ongoing nutrition study of its kind, the study authors analyzed blood, stool and gut microbiome samples in addition to glucose measurements in those whose sleep was considered irregular, compared with others having a routine sleep schedule.

Remarkably, the study authors claimed that only a 90-minute difference in the time of the midpoint of sleep—the halfway point between sleep time and wake time—was associated with differences in the composition of the gut microbiome.

“Sleep is a key pillar of health, and this research is especially timely given the growing interest in circadian rhythms and the gut microbiome. Even a 90-minute difference in sleep environment can promote types of microbiota that have adverse associations with your health,” says the first author of the study Kate Bermingham, PhD, from King’s College London and senior research fellow in nutrition at ZOE.

“Maintaining a regular sleep pattern, i.e. when we go to bed and when we wake up each day, is an easily adjustable lifestyle behavior that we can all do that can affect your health through the gut microbiome to a greater extent. good,” concludes Dr Sarah Berry of King’s College London and chief scientist at ZOE.

Illustrative Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-woman-sleeping-in-fetal-position-6633826/

Ukraine: War intensifies and so do the needs, says UN relief official

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7 August 2023

Ukraine: War intensifies and so do the needs, says UN relief official

Denise Brown, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, spoke remotely at a press briefing at UN Headquarters, in New York, and said that funds are needed particularly to prepare for the approaching winter.

“It is almost August, and it gets cold very early in Ukraine,” she said.

She said that humanitarians are preparing for winterization, which involves distributing quilts, fuels, stoves, and thermal insulation – to houses damaged last winter.

“There is additional damage on top of what we had to deal [with since then],” she added, referring to increased needs resulting from the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and attacks on major cities.

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Attacks on civilian infrastructure in Odesa

Ms. Brown spoke of her visit to Odesa, where several locations were hit in aerial strikes last week.

“Odesa is a very important hub for the UN and the humanitarian community,” she said, noting that it is the staging area for relief supplies to flow to the locations in need.

She went to the Transfiguration Cathedral, a centuries-old monument listed under UN cultural agency (UNESCO)’s World Heritage List, that sustained severe damage in an attack on 23 July.

The cathedral has a bunker and when air-raid sirens went off, many people from the neighbourhood took shelter there “not realizing that the cathedral was going to be hit,” said Ms. Brown.

The UN official also visited Odesa port, which was damaged in a strike. The attack took place after Russia terminated its engagement with the Black Sea Initiative, which together with a parallel accord between the UN and Russia, were vital to shore up food supplies globally.

“The port is a civilian infrastructure, that is the important point. Whether it is the cathedral or the port, this is civilian infrastructure used for civilians and civilian purposes,” she said

Damaged homes in Mykolaiv

Ms. Brown also spoke of damage to civilian homes and apartments in Mykolaiv, some of which were so badly damaged that they will have to be completely pulled down.

“What I saw in Mykolaiv and what I saw in Odesa last week, with my own eyes, is being repeated across many big cities in Ukraine. This morning again an apartment building was hit, people have been killed and are under rubble,” she said, recalling her statement earlier in the day.

Humanitarian plan only 30 per cent funded

Earlier this year, the UN launched the $3.9 billion Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023. The Plan targets 11.1 million people for assistance.

However as of end-July, it has raised only about 30 per cent of its intended total.

The needs continue to rise, Ms. Brown said, citing the “totally unexpected” destruction of the Kakhovka dam that led to additional needs.

“Humanitarian situation hasn’t changed, the war continues, and it intensifies, and so do the needs. The only way to change this is for the war to stop,” she concluded.

Persecution of Ahmadiyyas continues in Pakistan

By

Lahcen Hammouch

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7 August 2023

The Minarets of a mosque demolished this August 6, 2023, in the village 168 Murad, Dahran Wala, Bahawal Nagar district. Ahmadiyya is a Muslim religious movement that was founded in India in the 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. However, it is important to note that the Ahmadiyya is considered to be a controversial group in some Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan.

In Pakistan, Ahmadis have been subjected to discrimination and persecution for many years. In 1974, the Pakistani Constitution was amended to declare Ahmadis non-Muslims.

This declaration had major consequences, including the banning of Ahmadis from presenting themselves as Muslims, from using Islamic symbols or from practising their faith openly.

Ahmadis in Pakistan have been victims of violence, social discrimination, attacks on their places of worship and restrictions on their fundamental rights. These persecutions are often linked to differences in theological interpretation and religious tensions within Pakistani society.

It should be noted that opinions on the Ahmadiyya vary across the Muslim world and that the situation and attitudes towards this group may differ from country to country.

Unfortunately, the situation of Ahmadis in Pakistan is complex and marked by discrimination and persecution. Although each country has its own policies and laws regarding religious minorities, it is true that Ahmadis do not receive adequate protection from the Pakistani state.

Indeed, Pakistan’s laws and policies have restricted the fundamental rights of Ahmadis, depriving them of their freedom of religion, expression and practising their faith openly. Ahmadis face systematic discrimination in various aspects of daily life, including education, employment, marriage and voting rights.

Moreover, the Ahmadis have been victims of violence, attacks on their places of worship and individual persecution. Unfortunately, the Pakistani state has failed to provide adequate protection to this religious minority and has not taken sufficient steps to address these human rights violations.

It is important to note that the rights of religious minorities are a complex issue and may vary from country to country. International human rights organizations continue to advocate for the protection of the rights of Ahmadis and other religious minorities in Pakistan.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

South Sudan: UN agencies urge immediate action to avert deepening food crisis

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7 August 2023

South Sudan: UN agencies urge immediate action to avert deepening food crisis

During a three-day visit to the country, Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP); and Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) witnessed the devastating effects of severe weather events and a lack of infrastructure on communities.

“Conflict, climate change, and soaring costs in South Sudan are causing some of the highest levels of hunger in the world,” said Ms. McCain.

She added that just handing out food is not the solution.

“We must break the cycle and empower communities to plant the seeds of hope, opportunity, and economic development. With peace and stability, the potential of South Sudan is incredible,” she stressed.

The visit comes after a joint UN report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023, which found that over 120 million more people are suffering chronic malnourishment since 2019.

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Potential breadbasket of east Africa

South Sudan offers huge potential as a major food producing country, but years of conflict, compounded by climate change, poor infrastructure, low education and high unemployment, stymie any progress, according to FAO.

“South Sudan has the potential to be the breadbasket of East Africa, but the climate crisis, poor agriculture infrastructure, instability, and economic shocks continue to disrupt agricultural and livestock productivity and food availability,” said Mr. Qu, noting the importance of new funding.

“Investments and enabling policies that will improve on longer term food security, resilience and climate adaptation are urgently needed,” he added.

Massive investments needed

Collaboration among the three UN agencies and with the Government and other partners in the country have helped stave off famine in recent years and enabled farmers to increase their food production and incomes.

However, scaled-up and sustained action is needed to respond to the ongoing hunger crisis, avoid further setbacks, and mitigate future crises, the agencies said.

“To do this we need to mobilize massive investments and implement best practices to combat food insecurity and adapt to climate change. This will also greatly improve rural employment. But we need to act now,” said Mr. Lario.