Forum Topics

Primary tabs

Dumping toxic waste on Africa

published by You on 14 May, 2009 - 03:06

Its been alleged loads of times that the rich western world dumps much toxic waste in/off the coast of Africa, and how after the asian tsunami many people in Somalia were struck by illnesses due to the toxic waste that got swept ashore.

It is the same case on the other side of Africa, but there is a twist - there may actually be proof of such detestable actions.

Papers prove Trafigura ship dumped toxic waste in Ivory Coast

Documents have emerged which detail for the first time the potentially lethal nature of toxic waste dumped by British-based oil traders in one of west Africa's poorest countries.

Afghans probe girls' 'poisoning'

published by You on 13 May, 2009 - 23:32

Authorities in Afghanistan are investigating whether about 90 schoolgirls who fell ill were the victims of deliberate poisoning.

The girls experienced headaches, vomiting and dizziness after strong fumes engulfed the school in Kapisa province, north of Kabul.

The incident is the third of its kind at an Afghan girls' school recently.

Strong fumes were reported on Monday and on 26 April at schools in the nearby town of Charikar.

The police say none of the girls is in danger.

Blood samples have been sent to the American airbase at Bagram.

As yet, officials say there is no clue as to what the fumes may have been, or where they came from.

There has been an increase in reported attacks on schoolgirls in Afghanistan in the past year.

"Manflu" proven by scientists!

published by You on 13 May, 2009 - 19:00

Women 'fight off disease better'

Men really do have an excuse for supposedly being wimpy about coughs and colds - their immune systems are not as strong as women's, research suggests.

A Canadian study indicates that the female sex hormone oestrogen gives women's immune systems added bite at fighting off infection.

Oestrogen seems to counter an enzyme which blocks the inflammatory process.

The McGill University study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences...

Read more @ BBC News

Is Islamic finance the answer?

published by You on 12 May, 2009 - 01:53

Experts in Islamic finance believe their way of doing business has shielded them from the global credit crisis.

But how does it differ from conventional Western finance?

A former executive director of the International Monetary Fund, Dr Abbas Mirakhor, says wider Islamic economics relies on God's guidance, handed down almost 1,400 years ago.

There is a "consciousness of a supreme creator and a system that he has provided", he says.

What we know as the conventional Western way does not have that, which is "really the major difference between the two", he adds.

In practical terms, the most significant difference is that charging interest is not allowed in Islamic finance.

US sacks top Afghanistan general

published by You on 11 May, 2009 - 20:49

The US defence secretary has asked the country's commander in Afghanistan to step down, saying the battle against the Taleban needs "new thinking".

Robert Gates confirmed Gen David McKiernan would effectively be sacked less than a year after taking command.

He will be replaced by Gen Stanley McChrystal, who is seen as having a better understanding of the conflict.

The change comes as the US boosts troops numbers in Afghanistan and prepares for a change in strategy.

Gen McKiernan has been US commander in Afghanistan for less than one year, a period marked by a surge in violence.

His successor currently serves as the director of US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and was previously a director of special operations forces.

DUAS PLEASE, FOR GCSEs!!

published by Sumaiya on 11 May, 2009 - 18:36

Salama bros and sis'!

I'm taking my first ever gcse Islamic studies tomorrow( :? ) and desperately need your duas. And also for my arabic gcse on Thursday inshallah, it's completely useless I know as I couldn't put together a sentence let alone an essay, but the teachers insist. Still a few duas won't hurt and who knows, I might just pass! :roll: also any advice anyone might have!

Jazakallah everyone and may everyone taking their exams do well and Allah make it easy for them inshallah!

Ps. Just a general post area for others taking their exams!

Are all "ordinary" people potentially violent?

published by s.b.f on 11 May, 2009 - 15:03

The human race is both appalled and fascinated by violence. Man's aggression spans the globe - from terrorist attacks to guerrilla wars to gang-related crime.

It is everywhere, and it binds all nations and races together. But where does it begin? Do we learn it or is it something instinctive?

Most of us think of ourselves as calm and peaceful people.

We're brought up to try and resolve all conflict peaceably and tend to think that violence is something that "other" people commit, not ourselves. But is it?

Is it possible that you, or your mother or daughter or son, could ever be driven to commit a dreadful crime? Do we have that level of violence in ourselves?

The answer is yes.

Bahrain to end labor sponsorship

published by RashidGhazi on 9 May, 2009 - 23:51

Bahrain to end labor sponsorship

MANAMA - Labor rights groups on Wednesday welcomed Bahrain’s decision to become the first Gulf Arab state to end a system binding foreign workers to employers, a practice critics say is open to abuse.
The state Minister of Labor, Majeed al-Alawi, said the new policy would create a “more liberalized and dynamic” labor market by allowing workers to move from one employer to another.
“Hopefully it will create an incentive for employers to compete ... to attract workers with better working conditions,” said Nisha Varia, who monitors global migration issues for New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch. She called on larger neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia to follow suit.

The Needs of the Many

published by Seraphim on 9 May, 2009 - 22:12

"The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few."

How many of you would agree with that logic?
In theory it seems to make sense, but in practice.

Does it seem worth it? Kill 1 person to save billions? Can we really do that? Starve 1 person to feed 5. Logically that makes sense, the survival of the others depends on one of them to die.

Lets make it even simpler. Could you sacrifice yourself to save others... or even your own happiness for the sake of others? Should we even have to?

Pages