Latest news with #Amini
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Showcases Reformative Justice Leadership at National Conference
The third session of Bahrain's National Conference on Criminal Justice Reform concluded today, shining a spotlight on global best practices in adopting rehabilitative justice systems that strike a careful balance between public safety and human rights. Chaired by Mr. Ali Ahmed Amini, Director of Crime Prevention at the Ministry of Interior, the session emphasized the importance of progressive criminal justice programs that bolster community security while enhancing the efficiency and humanity of legal systems. Amini stressed that reform-driven approaches can deliver justice without compromising the rights of the accused or the broader community. One of the session's highlights was an in-depth presentation by Judge Ayoub Ali Abu Jaafar from Morocco's Ministry of Justice. He detailed his country's strategic shift toward alternative sentencing, especially for offenses carrying prison terms of five years or less. Morocco's legal evolution now includes community service, daily fines, electronic monitoring, and rehabilitative supervision—excluding high-risk crimes to ensure public safety and victim rights. Abu Jaafar praised Bahrain's pioneering efforts, calling them a legal and humanitarian model for the region. From Jordan, Brigadier General Dr. Judge Mohammad Al-Shdeifat shared insights into the Hashemite Kingdom's alternative sanctions framework, including community work, electronic monitoring, and restricted movement orders. These are tailored based on the offender's background and crime severity, ensuring they pose no threat to public order. He noted societal acceptance and effective rehabilitation programs as key challenges to successful implementation. Innovation in justice reform was another focal point, with Eng. Hassan Isa Al-Sharqi, CEO of QPlus Inspection & Quality Consultancy, illustrating how Bahrain integrates cutting-edge technology in sentence execution. He described a forward-thinking approach involving idea labs, digital transformation, and innovation cafés that feed into a cycle of continuous improvement, making the criminal justice system more responsive and future-ready. A global perspective was offered by David Kaliolani Hasenritter, Director of Standards and Accreditation at the American Correctional Association, who lauded Bahrain's 'open prisons' as a benchmark for community reintegration. He commended the cohesive efforts of leadership and on-ground personnel in redefining reform not just through compliance, but through wholehearted adoption of rehabilitative ideals. Closing the session, Professor Sunita Toor, Head of Human Rights and Social Justice at the University of Sheffield, highlighted the five-year collaboration between her institute and Bahrain's General Directorate for Sentence Execution. She praised Bahrain's commitment to excellence beyond minimum standards, crafting a holistic reform system rooted in integrity and community transformation. Professor Toor emphasized that Bahrain's justice programs go beyond rehabilitation—they restore dignity and offer real pathways for reintegration. "Bahrain's experience has enriched global understanding of reformative justice,' she noted. As Bahrain continues to set regional and international benchmarks, this conference reaffirms the Kingdom's role as a trailblazer in modernizing justice with compassion, security, and innovation at its core.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Escaping the land where women are banned from singing
Òran Mór, Glasgow Neil Cooper Three stars What makes a girl's world is everything in Sara Amini's new play, whether it is singing revolutionary anthems on the school bus with the gang, dancing at a wedding or singing at the temple of Madonna, Maria Callas and the sublime beats of Iranian pop. Unfortunately for Sara, the woman at the heart of Amini's play, she grew up in Iran, where women aren't allowed to sing. Sara's answer is to fling herself into a world where she can indulge her passions, from nightclubs to the stage in Paris, London and other hotspots where freedom isn't frowned upon and she can chase her dreams. With her own child also coming of age, Saria must face up to choices she has no say in. Read more Amini and co-director Manuel Lavandera's production sets out its store in Sara's tastefully cluttered home in this A Play, a Pie and a Pint lunchtime presentation of a show by Amini's Seemia Theatre company that opened at Camden People's Theatre earlier this month. As Sara takes stock of a lifetime's back pages over a bottle of wine, Amini's solo performance embodies her character's essence with a gutsy brio that isn't afraid to make a song and dance about things, whatever the consequences might be. The result, as Sara moves through a series of costume changes on Mana Sadri Irani's set, sees her take the leap from veiled child to glitzy libertine in a busy meditation on girlhood, motherhood, misogyny and finding yourself through music. Drawn from Armini's own experience as a classical singer and theatre artist born in Iran, and with what look like home movies projected on to the back wall, Amini's play brings home the everyday realities of what it means to break free in a world where women's liberation is a real life matter of life and death.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctor suggests 5 easy hacks to eat potatoes without spiking your blood sugar: Adding vinegar to cooling before eating
Potatoes have long been the enemy for people with diabetes or those trying not to spike their blood sugar levels. In a video shared on May 3, Dr Aryanna Amini, MD and a nutrition specialist, talked about five different ways you can eat them without spiking your blood sugar. Also Read | Fitness coach shares 3 anti-bloating and belly-slimming exercises that will release tension, reduce swelling According to Dr Amini, all carbohydrate-rich foods can raise your glucose level. However, there are a few hacks that can actually blunt and lower the effect and prevent glycemic spikes. She listed five ways one can enjoy potatoes as part of a balanced diet. Here are the hacks she listed: A post shared by Aryanna Amini, MD, MS, CAQSM, Dipl. of ABOM (@theskinnyonobesity) Dr Amini suggested choosing a variety of potatoes with a lower glycemic index, like waxy potatoes (fingerling) over Russet or Idaho varieties. She said that the fingerling potato has a glycemic index of 50-60, as compared to Russet, which has 80-110. Dr Amini said, 'How you prepare your potatoes matters! Boiling a potato actually lowers the glycemic index as compared to if you mash or bake it.' For example, she explained that baked Russet potatoes have a glycemic index of around 110, while boiled Russet potatoes have a glycemic index of around 80. Dr Amini suggested cooling the potatoes after boiling, as it lowers the spike even more. 'When you refrigerate white starches, some resistant starch can reform, making it harder to digest, resulting in lower glucose rises, and fewer calories and sugar absorbed, even if you reheat the potato,' she explained. A boiled and then cooled potato can lower the glycemic spike by 25-30 percent, Dr Amini explained. Adding fat and protein to your potato will also blunt the glycemic effect. For example, adding something like cheese can also lower glucose spikes. Dr Amini suggested adding vinegar (which contains acetic acid) to potatoes, which can lower the glucose and insulin spikes. Paired with the above refrigeration hack, adding 15–20 ml of vinegar before or in combination with chilled boiled potatoes decreases their glycemic index by up to 43 percent. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Women Are Central to Iran's Pro-Democracy Movement
In the ongoing struggle for democracy in Iran, women have emerged as some of the most influential and unifying voices, championing secularism, equality and inclusive governance. Over the past 150 years, Iranian women have consistently played key roles in the country's major political movements, from the Constitutional Revolution of 1906 and the oil nationalization movement in the 1950s, to the 1979 Revolution and the student uprisings of the early 2000s. Today, they are again at the forefront of a grassroots democratic movement, leading campaigns that directly challenge both the Islamic Republic and entrenched patriarchy across the political spectrum. The most emblematic of these recent efforts is the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, ignited by the nationwide protests of 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was detained for allegedly violating the law requiring women to wear a headscarf. This slogan is more than a rallying cry. It represents a philosophy that transcends gender, class and ideology. It has brought men and women into a shared camp fighting for a democratic Iran built on secularism, freedom and equality for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religious belief. Though sparked by the popular outrage over Amini's death, this contemporary movement builds upon a long and rich history of women's activism in Iran. During the Constitutional Revolution, women organized and wrote anonymously in underground publications demanding national sovereignty and education rights. In the 1960s and 1970s, Iranian women experienced significant legal and social advancements under the Pahlavi monarchy. They gained the right to vote in 1963 and were granted greater protections in 1967under the Family Protection Law, which curtailed male privileges in divorce and child custody, while raising the minimum age of marriage. Women also entered politics and public life in increasing numbers during this period, with notable milestones such as the appointment of the first female Cabinet minister, Farrokhroo Parsa, as minister of education in 1968. These developments laid the groundwork for an emerging feminist consciousness and positioned women as active agents in shaping Iran's modern identity. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women resisted the imposition of mandatory veiling and discriminatory laws. And in the years thereafter, they often formed the backbone of Iran's civil society through informal networks, cultural initiatives and quiet but powerful activism. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. In recent years, women's grassroots campaigns have tackled urgent and deeply rooted issues. Campaigns like the 'One Million Signatures for Gender Equality' drive in 2006 and the 'No to compulsory Hijab for women' initiative in 2017, as well as movements seeking to stop honor killings and end child marriage, among others, have gained traction across the country, raising awareness among women and men about gender discrimination. Grounded in daily realities rather than rigid ideology, these movements have made women's activism especially resonant with Iran's new generation: Many younger Iranians have grown disillusioned by political dogma and are instead drawn to the practical, inclusive and values-driven leadership modeled by women activists, with the most emblematic of these recent efforts being the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. What sets Iranian women's activism apart is its potential to bridge divides in a fragmented opposition. While much of the political opposition, both inside and outside the country, remains fractured along ideological lines, women have consistently pushed for coalitions that prioritize shared democratic goals over partisan rivalry. This activism tends to be rooted in pragmatism, making it more flexible, solution-oriented and appealing across generational and political divides. Despite their central role, however, women still face considerable resistance not only from the Islamic Republic's theocratic regime, but also from segments of the opposition that have yet to fully embrace women's leadership as essential to the country's democratic future. Some exiled political groups, as well as traditionalist figures, continue to marginalize women's voices or regard gender equality as secondary to regime change. This attitude not only undermines the democratic credentials of these groups but also overlooks the political reality that any sustainable movement for democracy in Iran must be inclusive and representative. However, challenges to effective activism also exist within women's groups themselves. While many are grassroots-driven and deeply committed, the movement as a whole must continue to invest in cross-group collaboration, strategic unity and coalition-building to amplify its impact. Building solidarity among diverse women's organizations—from urban activists to provincial advocates, from secular feminists to religious traditional women—will be vital for sustaining long-term democratic change. This process of collaboration is not without precedent. In the aftermath of the 2022 protests, numerous women-led organizations and activists coordinated across platforms and geographies to document human rights abuses, support detainees and advocate for international pressure. These collective efforts demonstrated the capacity for Iranian women to lead with vision and resilience, often filling the leadership vacuum left by divided or co-opted political groups. Iranian women are also harnessing digital technologies, storytelling, visual arts and film to amplify their voices and advocate for change. One notable example was the 'My Stealthy Freedom' campaign initiated by journalist Masih Alinejad in 2014. This online movement encouraged Iranian women to share photos of themselves without headscarves, to protest the compulsory hijab laws. The campaign attracted significant international attention and was instrumental in highlighting women's rights issues in Iran. In the realm of cinema, Iranian women filmmakers have been at the forefront of depicting women's struggles and resistance. And artists have used the visual arts to explore themes of gender and repression in Iranian society. Meanwhile, through transnational networks, Iranian women are building solidarity across borders, while gaining access to resources, visibility and moral support. However, it is crucial that international allies engage with these movements respectfully, supporting them without co-opting or instrumentalizing women's agency. The Iranian women's movement today offers a blueprint for a future democratic Iran, one where politics is reshaped by civic engagement, inclusive leadership and the persistent struggle for justice. In a region often marked by authoritarianism and gender apartheid, Iranian women are not only fighting for their rights—they are redefining what democracy could look like. That is growing all the more urgent, as the Iranian regime has already lost popular legitimacy among broad swathes of the population. Combined with the myriad internal and external challenges it faces, that has prompted many observers to begin considering the potential for a change in regime, with some arguing such a critical juncture is imminent. Should it arrive, international observers, policymakers and democracy advocates must recognize the centrality of women in shaping the country's political future. Their vision of a secular, democratic Iran, free from oppression based on gender, religion or ethnicity, may well be the most unifying and forward-looking project in the country's fractured political landscape. Supporting this vision means amplifying women's voices, respecting their autonomy and investing in their leadership—not only as a moral imperative but as a strategic pathway to lasting and sustainable democratic transformation. Fariba Parsa holds a doctorate in social science, specializing in Iranian politics with a focus on political Islam, democracy and human rights. She is the author of 'Fighting for Change in Iran: The Women, Life, Freedom Philosophy against Political Islam.' She is also the founder and president of Women's E-Learning in Leadership (WELL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in Iran and Afghanistan through online leadership education and training. How gender inequality makes natural disasters deadlier for women. How far-right parties in Europe are blocking efforts to curb violence against women. Why men need to speak up to end rape culture. Why justice for the victims of forced sterilization in Peru still faces many obstacles. Why focusing on tackling 'femicide' isn't enough to protect women from violence. All of our coverage of women's rights and gender equality. The post Women Are Central to Iran's Pro-Democracy Movement appeared first on World Politics Review.
Forbes
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
AI For Runners And Athletes: We're Making Excellent Progress
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Meb Keflezighi of the United States celebrates after winning the 118th ... More Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) In a recent panel conference on AI, three experts in the industry talked about breakthroughs in AI fitness wearables that will have enormous ramifications for runners and athletes. A number of really good insights came out of this talk – pieces of the context around engineering that show us why AI is so good at supporting people in their athletic efforts. I'm going to go over one fundamental idea from each of these contributors, to show three design aspects that are a huge part of how we're exploring AI use for athletics. This idea about AI actually has two components – one related to the places where we put large language models, and another revolving around the difference between our human languagesand the language that our vital signs 'speak' when they are measured in real time. Alexander Amini knows a lot about running - and tennis. But he's also involved in a company that's revolutionizing AI for our times. In describing how AI can work for athletes, Amini first said it's about 'enabling AI to live where the data lives.' He explained – early LLMs were put on the Internet, because edge devices didn't have the capacity to run them. Transformers were expensive and complex. Now, the new models mean we can install smart LLMs on edge devices, and that will bring the cost down, while helping athletes who are in places without Internet access. 'It unlocks a completely new dimension of how we think about interacting with AI,' he said. 'AI doesn't need to necessarily be something (where) you send all of your data up to a third partyprovider anymore. It now can be something that is deeply embedded with your life, at every stage of your day.' His other point was that by harness harnessing ourselves with these wearables, we're getting a robust set of data. It's far beyond what we get by talking. 'It really comes down to the way that we talk to AI,' he said. He also broke this down further. Here's my interpretation: essentially, language is a set of symbols that we use to send ideas back and forth. It's 'compressed,' in his words. It's not raw. By contrast, if you think about all of the data that your body is giving off every microsecond, that's a different medium to communicate in. If AI is getting all of that data and using it,instead of listening to you talk, it can tell a lot more about you as a person. 'The data that we generate from our bodies is impossible to be compressed through language,' Amini said. 'It is highly multi-dimensional, and it's highly expressive signals, right? And it's constant. The amount of data is vast, and in many cases, it's not really possible to transmit the full complexity of our fitness in real time to these systems. So that's why, when we talk about bringing AI to ourselves … that's what we unlock.' Another great take on this came from Emily Capodilupo, who has designed a tool called Whoop. She explained the humans are not good at diagnosing whether they are dehydrated or not. 'We're actually horrible judges of being dehydrated,' she said. 'Humans tend to not realize that we're becoming dehydrated. In general … your body knows a lot … but there are incredible safety use cases, if you have algorithms running on your wrist, that can help you understand that ratio between how hard your body is working, and your pace: if they start to diverge too quickly, that could be a sign that you're on track to … hit a wall, or that you're sort of suffering from dehydration.' This rings true to me as a runner: if you think about trying to self-diagnose as a human, it's really down to whether you feel thirsty, or hot, or you can tell by your skin that you're dehydrated. AI can tell down to a much more granular level what your body needs, and that's going to be an enormous advantage for any kind of athlete who's equipped with these tools. Jamie is another person who spoke that day. He has done a lot of research on his own body, through a process called digital twinning. A digital twin is simply a robust model of something in the real world. I often use the term 'doppelgänger' to talk about creating a system. That's a highly detailed simulation of something physical or outside of the digital world in the analog space. The digital twin provides that playground of analysis that helps us to advance our measurements. Jamie revealed that he has built 100 samples of himself, foraround $5000 each. 'I've spent a half a million dollars on my own biology in the last ten years measuring outcome changes,' he said. 'Those outcome changes add up into this digital twin that predicts my future, predicts all my disease risks, and we have blood tests now.' In terms of access, he quoted William Gibson: 'The future is here - it's just not evenly distributed.' 'We have blood tests now for essentially every human disease,' he continued, 'that are somewhere between five(fold) and tenfold more accurate than the current predictions in the market.' Going further, he explained that research in applying new technologies found that half of patients analyzed could benefit from a significant intervention based on collected data. 'In half of the people we've done these analysis on, we have found a life-changing piece of actionable information in them that is likely to add years to their life, and that's computed, predicted and analyzed,' he said. That's an amazing statistic. Each of these three revelations illustrates the immense power of AI to help us to 'fine-tune' our lives, for fitness, for longevity, etc. In so many ways, we don't have to guess anymore. Basically, a lot of what we previously considered science fiction is now real. Certain tools may or may not be on the market yet – we haven't seen all of this technology play out in our lives so far. But that's going to change soon.
