Bad Air, Bad Health

The effects of pollution on health and how it can be avoided
Rahman Mohamed

Today global attention is focused on war and international relations.  But on November 20 CBC reported that a study by the McKinsey Global Institute revealed that obesity is costing the world’s economy almost $2 trillion, “nearly as much as smoking or the combined impact of armed violence, war and terrorism”.  According to The Guardian obesity costs the United Kingdom £47 billion a year, more than armed violence, and terrorism, but second in cost to smoking.

Factors for obesity include an unhealthy diet and lack of physical exercise.  In an article published 10 November, WebMD reported that in addition to lung cancer air pollution plays a role in many more health problems than lung cancer and can be just as bad as obesity.

Continue reading

Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Students Raising funds for Mesopotamian Refugees

York students raising funds and awareness for refugees in Iraq and Syria
Rahman Mohamed
Published on Excalibur, 24 November 2014

A movement across Ontario, Life of a Mesopotamian Refugee, built a campaign to raise awareness and funds for refugees in Syria and Iraq, former Mesopotamia, to display the conditions refugees face to local students last week.. This movement was led by the Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Student Union (ACSSU). ACSSU has branches at McMaster University in Hamilton, and York, Brock and Ryerson Universities in Toronto. All three played a role in Life of a Mesopotamian Refugee.

Continue reading

Rooting for the Rival: Uniting or Divider?

Cheering for the Rival: The death sentence that unites
Rahman Mohamed

Sports, it’s one of the few things that forces geographies to push apart their political differences as they combat for the championship.  But whether it’s in an inter-school sports league or at in an international league, the one thing that will always be present is: the rivalry.  And there’s proof today in the final.

Continue reading