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Want to know about a Muslim Arab state that’s been “occupied” by another Muslim Arab state? Read about Western Sahara
Contributed by DOMINIC MARTIN Did you know that a mere four hour flight from London lies a self-proclaimed Arab state chafing under a decades-long occupation? And that their haughty overlords, motivated in part by dubious historical claims to the land, partly by naked territorial aggrandizement, annually encourages thousands of its settlers to move in and tilt the demographic balance in its favour? And all this with the tacit support of its Western allies, and in blatant violation of numerous UN resolutions? Meanwhile the indigenous inhabitants of this land are left to eke out a threadbare existence in the arid scraps left to them, whilst many more languish in refugee camps in neighbouring states. And yet, undaunted, this oppressed people fight on, standing proudly under their red, green, white and black flag. Their occupiers, in a move equal parts desperation and exasperation, have resorted to constructing an enormous barrier across the entirety of the territory, de facto annexing the choicest areas to the ‘motherland’.
I talk of course of Western Sahara, or the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic if you prefer (Morocco, which has occupied the bulk of this former Spanish colony in north-west Africa since 1975, prefers the term ‘Southern Provinces’). Never heard of it? You’re not alone. Despite lying just 60 miles east of the Canary Islands, this Britain-sized slab of rock and desert occupies a position in the average Westerner’s imagination somewhere between East Timor and Ambazonia. There are no weekly protests in support of the oppressed Sahrawi people, no calls to boycott Moroccan goods, no ICC court case against Morocco, and no ceaseless stream of hand-wringing pity pieces for the Sahrawis in the left-leaning media.
Why not? Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, right? Those on the progressive left endlessly tell us that their support for the Palestinian cause is due solely for their compassion for an oppressed people – ‘you don’t have to be Muslim/Arab to support Palestine, just human’, as the phrase de jour goes. Yet Western Sahara? Crickets. This is perplexing – after all, it has all the right ingredients; if anything, it offers a far more clear-cut case than Palestine, given that the Polisario Front (Western Sahara’s answer to the PLO) has refrained from terrorist attacks on civilians and focuses its armed struggle solely against Moroccan military targets, and therefore doesn’t require the kind of awkward moral hedging demanded by supporters of the Palestinians.
And yet Western Sahara is comprehensively ignored. Its flag emoji has failed to take its place next to the EU, Ukraine and trans flags in the Twitter and Instagram bios of the right-on set. Could it be that this intra-Arab dispute between two Muslim peoples who look the same and speak the same language simply lacks the gravitas and high-stakes excitement of the Arab-Israeli imbroglio? That this dispute over a remote desert fastness, whose main exports are fish and a bit of phosphate, is simply not sexy enough? (Even Lonely Planet, usually a-gush with fawning admiration for the most dangerous and dusty ‘up and coming’ developing world destinations, calls it “featureless, arid, inhospitable and uninviting.”) Is it possible that despite the evident wrongs committed against the long-suffering Sahrawi people, that the slacktivist set simply don’t care? It certainly seems that way, which would suggest to this author at least that their support for Palestine represents for the most part less a genuine outpouring of righteous fury against injustice, than a performative display of allegiance to ‘the current thing’. Having long since grown bored of the grim trench warfare in Ukraine, this is now the sole foreign policy issue on which our progressive panjandrums absolutely insist that one must take a stand. The only other similar dispute which even comes close is the moribund ‘Free Tibet’ movement, which has long since fizzled out as its supporters realised the futility of protesting the regime in Beijing.
We are often told that the world doesn’t care about Palestine, that “Palestinian blood is very cheap” as former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf put it. Yet the complete opposite is in fact the case. No other foreign policy issue attracts as much international attention as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and no other ‘national liberation’ struggle attracts as much foreign support as that of the Palestinians. Would a major flare up of fighting in Western Sahara be capable of swinging a British by-election, as happened recently in Rochdale? Hardly.
So, that’s the progressives. Meanwhile the vociferous rage of their erstwhile allies in the Islamic ‘ummah’ is perhaps at first glance more understandable, their religious sensibilities understandably inflamed at seeing Muslims dying by the score, and at the hands of the infidel no less. Yet even here we see a similar double standard at play. Where has been the outrage at other violent oppression committed against Muslims, such as China’s brutal suppression of the Uighurs, Burma’s genocidal attacks against the Rohingya, or the Alawite Assad regime’s brutal bloodbath in Syria? To say nothing of the tens of thousands of deaths caused by intra-Muslim civil wars in Yemen, Sudan or Iraq? It’s hard not to notice that Muslims generally ignore those issues and reserve especial ire for Israel and Israel alone. Ad for Western Sahara – it doesn’t even get a look in. It would seem that Laayoune, Dakhla or Boujdour simply lack the heady religious allure of Jerusalem, Jenin or Jericho. It would seem that some Muslim lives are worth more than others.
At some point the brutal fighting in Gaza will come to an end. The rent-a-protestors will find a new trend to get excited about. It is quite likely that we will see yet another international push to reanimate the interminable Arab-Israeli ‘peace process’. Forget potential nuclear war in Korea or Kashmir, or the slow-motion implosion of Myanmar – the entire weight of the world’s efforts and attention will once again be bought to bear on the great, grand cause of creating a corrupt, authoritarian (if not outright Islamist) Palestinian statelet in the Middle East. And when that happens, spare a thought if you will for the Sahrawis, as they waste away in their desert shantytowns. After all, no one else will.
Features
Skipping breakfast: Does it help you lose weight or is it bad for your health?
Breakfast is known to be an important meal – and yet many people leave the house without it. But what are the consequences for your health if you skip breakfast?
Whether it’s because of time pressure, to lose weight or because you’re not hungry yet – many people skip breakfast in the morning. There are different opinions. But to really have full energy for your next round at Betamo casino Canada you better not skip this very important meal.
Skipping breakfast: A good idea to lose weight?
Skipping breakfast is a common weight loss tip. Provided that you save the calories for breakfast and don’t eat them with another meal. This assessment is supported by studies:
A meta-analysis from 2023 found a significant correlation between skipping breakfast and a reduction in body weight.
A study from 2020 shows similar results: Skipping breakfast had a slightly positive effect on weight loss.
Another analysis from 2019 also shows that the study participants who skipped breakfast had a small – but significant – weight reduction of just under half a kilo.
However, these studies only show slight effects on weight and appetite. What’s more, some of the scientists also point to negative effects.
Skipping breakfast: What speaks against it
There are many voices that clearly speak out against skipping breakfast. For example, Anja Bosy-Westphal, President of the German Society for Nutritional Medicine, told Zeit magazine that skipping breakfast does not help to maintain lost weight in the long term. “People who skip breakfast for a long time are more likely to be overweight,” explains the expert. The effect persists even if other unhealthy habits are ruled out as the cause.
Skipping breakfast increases the risk of diabetes and obesity
In order to maintain your weight and eat healthily, you should therefore eat breakfast. Bosy-Westphal goes on to explain that glucose and energy metabolism work less efficiently in the morning. “If I eat the same meal once for breakfast and once for dinner, the blood sugar level rises less in the morning.” On the other hand, more calories are burned immediately after eating.
In the evening, the effect is reversed and we store more energy. The expert is generally in favor of never skipping a main meal. However, if someone “absolutely” wants to do this, for example because they are intermittent fasting, she says it should ideally be the evening meal.
Eating breakfast regularly has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and prevents diabetes. Conversely, according to Bosy-Westphal: “The more often you skip breakfast, the higher the risk of developing diabetes”. This is because eating early in the day helps the body to adjust the metabolism correctly and reduces the risk of obesity and metabolic diseases.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Another negative effect associated with skipping breakfast is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A study from 2023 shows: A late first meal of the day (for example, by skipping breakfast) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Every hour later (9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.) increased the risk by 6 percent.
Skipping breakfast to lose weight: A good idea?
Whether skipping breakfast really helps you lose weight is controversial – some experts even suspect the opposite. At the same time, the scientists point out that breakfast is not the only thing that matters. This is because the participants who ate late drank more alcohol, went to bed later and ate more irregularly compared to those who ate early.
Skip breakfast: This is the recommendation of the DGE
The overall study situation is not clear. The results are partly limited by methodological weaknesses such as small study sizes and the fact that physical activity was not recorded. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) therefore does not currently give a clear recommendation as to whether skipping breakfast helps with weight loss or not:
At present, no scientifically validated statement can be made regarding the relationship between meal frequency and body weight regulation in healthy adults, so the German Nutrition Society (DGE) makes no recommendation in this regard. The energy balance is decisive for the development of body weight.
Features
How often you should cycle per week to get fit
Cycling is an excellent way to get or stay fit. But how often, how long and how intensively should you cycle to achieve this?
What does it actually mean to be fit? The word “fit” means nothing more than “suitable”. However, we generally understand “fit” as a certain level of training that is not only healthy, but also makes many everyday things easier for us – for example, just catching a streetcar or playing tag with the children. Last but not least, basic fitness can be a basis for more ambitious training or sporting goals (a long bike ride, a 10-kilometer run or similar).
Cycling is basically a very good way to get or stay fit, as it trains our endurance and most major muscle groups, is easy on the joints and, in terms of intensity, is easy to control. Numerous studies also show that cycling is healthy and a good option for building up fitness. But who should cycle how often and for how long is very individual and depends above all on the current state of training and health. So you will be calm after and can focus completely on National Casino.
This is how often and how fast beginners should (be able to) cycle
Let’s assume that you want to do something for your fitness again after a long break from sport. The best way to start is to take stock: grab your bike and go for a ride to see how long you can keep going and at what pace. If you haven’t exercised for a very long time or have never done so regularly and/or suffer from pre-existing conditions, you should check with your doctor beforehand whether and how much strain you can put on your cardiovascular system.
After taking stock, you should start training slowly. In the beginning, it is enough for beginners to cycle on flat terrain for 20 to 30 minutes about three times a week.
Now for the right intensity and the right pace: For (re)beginners, the following applies: If you still have just enough air to keep yourself entertained while riding, then you’re on the right track. If you want, you can of course also train with a heart rate monitor, where the target heart rate for most people is around 120 to 130 beats per minute. However, as the exercise heart rate is very individual and depends on many factors such as age, training condition, etc., intensity control via the “conversation test” works at least as well.
If you are riding on flat terrain, you will probably reach a speed of around 18 to 20 kilometers per hour in calm conditions.
Building fitness means building new habits
This training area is called the foundation area, by the way, and this is precisely your most important goal: laying a solid foundation for your fitness. Continuity is crucial, especially at the beginning – so really try to cycle three times a week – even if it’s only 15 minutes, that’s still better than not cycling at all. This will help you get into a steady rhythm and each time you cycle it will be easier for you to get going.
According to studies, it can take up to three months for new habits to become so integrated into your life that you find them as easy as brushing your teeth – so keep at it!
If you then have no problem sticking to the basics for around 30 to 40 minutes three to four times a week, you will have built up a solid base level of fitness. This will also help you achieve the WHO’s recommended exercise target of at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Once you have reached this basic level of fitness, you can of course always increase your training, depending on your goals.
Combining cycling with strength training
Cycling is very good endurance training. However, it is also important for our health and fitness to train our strength. Otherwise, as we get older, we lose muscle mass, which can lead to back pain and the like, but also promotes weight gain – because muscles use energy and therefore calories even at rest. Strength training also improves your performance on the bike.
All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a week. And you don’t have to go to the gym or buy any equipment. Classic exercises such as push-ups or squats are very effective and anyone can easily do them at home.
Tip: There are many practical apps with short workouts that strengthen the entire body, for example the free app Seven – 7 Minute Workout (for Apple or Android devices). It gives you suggestions for exercises and – especially important for beginners – shows you the correct exercises to do.
Features
Sleepmaxxing: Sleep better with these tips
Sleepmaxxing is trending on social media: targeted tricks and habits are designed to make your sleep as restful as possible. We explain what the hype is really about.
If you’re active on social media, you’ve probably heard the term “sleepmaxxing”. At the end of 2024, this tag already had 98.6 million posts on TikTok. This term, which literally means “maximizing sleep”, i.e. “getting the most out of your sleep”, is all about getting the perfect night’s sleep. From an optimized sleeping environment to the ideal evening routine, nothing is left to chance with Sleepmaxxing – all for the purpose of perfect nightly rest for your next round of TonyBet Canada.
Sleepmaxxing – what really works?
As is so often the case with health tips on social media, the Sleepmaxxing methods should also be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the popular tips for better sleep are not scientifically proven and will definitely not be the panacea they are promoted as on TikTok and the like.
However, some behaviors can actually help you improve your sleep quality or fall asleep faster. Here are some tips that can help you sleep better.
1. evening routine for better sleep
Fixed bedtimes and other rituals can benefit the quality of your sleep. Regular rituals help your body to adjust better to sleep. You can try out these methods, for example:
- Fixed bedtimes: If possible, go to bed at the same time every day and get up at the same time – even at the weekend. This stabilizes your sleep rhythm and the hormone balance that controls your tiredness.
- Avoid screens in the evening: The blue light from cell phones, laptops and televisions inhibits the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Put your cell phone away at least an hour before going to bed and try using blue light filters if you like.
- Relaxation rituals: Reading, meditation or a warm shower can help you to calm down more quickly.
- Sleeping tea instead of caffeine: Avoid coffee or energy drinks in the evening. Instead, opt for herbal teas with valerian or lavender.
2. create the ideal sleeping environment
Your sleeping environment can have a major impact on the quality of your sleep. Your environment has a big impact on the quality of your sleep. With a few adjustments, you can significantly improve the conditions for restful sleep:
- Darkness: Sources of light at night disturb your internal clock. Darken your bedroom as much as possible or use a sleep mask.
- Quiet: Noise can interrupt your sleep. Earplugs or a white noise app can help combat noise.
- Cool temperature: The optimum sleeping temperature is between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius. You should briefly air your bedroom twice before going to bed.
- Comfortable mattress and pillow: A sagging mattress or the wrong pillow can massively affect your quality of sleep. Make sure your back and neck are well supported and find the right type of mattress for you.
3. diet and exercise for better sleep
Those who live healthily also sleep better: diet and exercise can influence your sleep. Diet and exercise also have a major influence on your sleep. The following tips can contribute to a healthier sleep:
- No heavy food before sleep: fatty or highly seasoned foods can put a strain on your digestion and disrupt your sleep.
- No alcohol to help you sleep: Although alcohol makes you tired, it worsens the quality of your sleep and makes for restless nights.
- Regular exercise: Exercising helps you to sleep better – but intensive training directly before bedtime can keep you awake. It’s therefore better to schedule your workout for the morning or afternoon.
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