Latest news with #culturalPractices
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Keir Starmer and Labour are accused of standing in the way of a ban on cousins marrying each other - after poll shows British people want it axed
Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour party are standing in the way of a ban on cousins marrying each other, after a new poll showed an overwhelming majority of Britons want to see it axed, a Conservative MP has claimed. Conservative MP Richard Holden last year introduced a private members' bill to ban the practice, which would bring cousin marriages into the same bracket as marrying a parent, child, sibling or grandparent. Now a new YouGov poll has revealed the British communities that are most likely to back first cousin marriages, with a large majority thinking the practice should be outlawed. The former Cabinet Minister and Conservative Party Chairman told MailOnline: 'This YouGov poll is clear. 'The overwhelming majority of Brits, including those of Pakistani heritage, want to see first cousin marriage banned. 'The fact Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are standing in the way of ending an outdated practice rooted in misogynistic cultural practices shows that he's more interested in promoting cultural relativism than in ending practices that have no place in our country and isolate both individuals and communities from each other. 'If Starmer really believed in British values he'd back my bill, just like every community in Britain does.' Pakistani and Bangladeshi Britons are most likely to support the first cousin marriages, with 39 percent of those polled saying it should be legal. While 47 percent of the community say the practice should not be legal, this compares to just eight percent of white Britons who support first-cousin marriage. Six percent of black Britons say marrying a cousin should be legal, with nine percent of Indian Britons holding the same view. While marrying close relatives including siblings and half-siblings is illegal in the UK, marrying a first cousin is technically legal. Some 77 percent of white and Indian Britons believe marrying a cousin should be made illegal, compared to 82 percent of black Britons. Currently the UK follows the practice of 'genetic counselling', in which first cousins who are in a relationship are offered education about the risk of having children together and encouraged to receive extra checks during pregnancy. It is estimated that children of a first-cousin union have a six percent chance of inheriting a recessive disorder such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease - double the risk of the general population. But some have warned that outlawing the practice completely risks stigmatising those already in first cousin marriages in the UK. Amongst these was Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed, who drew huge criticism last year for defending cousin marriage. Instead of banning it outright, he said a 'more positive approach' involving advanced genetic tests for prospective married cousins would be more effective in addressing issues around it. One of Britain's foremost experts on child health also defended the right for first cousins to marry, dismissing concerns about inbreeding. Professor Dominic Wilkinson, an NHS neonatologist and ethics expert at the University of Oxford, argued a ban would be 'unethical'. Instead, Professor Wilkinson backed calls for such couples to be offered special screening on the NHS to help them decide if they should have children. Such tests can cost £1,200 privately. They are designed to spot whether prospective parents are carriers for the same genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. It comes as data from 2023 showed in three inner-city Bradford wards, 46 percent of mothers from the Pakistani community are married to a first or second cousin, according to data published in 2023. The overall estimate for the cousing marriage capital of the UK in Pakistani couples was 37 percent ten years ago, and this figure has since dropped. Reasons behind the fall are thought to include high educational attainment, stricter immigration rules and changes in family dynamics. It compares to just one percent of white British couples. YouGov's data also revealed that those in London are most likely to support first cousin marriage, at 15 percent. The north followed at 12 percent, while in the Midlands it was ten percent. The south of England and Wales were the least likely to support it being legal, at six and seven percent respectively. Historically, first cousin marriages were extremely common amongst royalty and the British upper classes. It was seen as a way of firming up alliances and keeping wealth and land in the family. MailOnline recently revealed that no-one is tracking the rate of cousin marriages in the UK, with councils not recording any data on the issue. Studies have put Pakistan as having one of the highest rates globally at 65 percent of unions. This is followed by Saudi Arabia (50 percent), Afghanistan (40 percent), Iran (30 percent) and Egypt and Turkey (20 percent).
Sustainability Times
7 days ago
- General
- Sustainability Times
'Archaeologists Couldn't Believe It': 20,000-Year-Old Stone Tools Found on South African Cliff Rewrite Everything About Early Humans
IN A NUTSHELL 🪨 Researchers discovered 20,000-year-old stone tools on South African cliffs, revealing ancient craftsmanship. on South African cliffs, revealing ancient craftsmanship. ⛰️ The KEH-1 cave's altitude and isolation helped preserve the artifacts, allowing precise archaeological study. helped preserve the artifacts, allowing precise archaeological study. 🗺️ The tools belong to the Robberg technocomplex , highlighting shared cultural practices across vast distances. , highlighting shared cultural practices across vast distances. 🤝 These findings illustrate the ingenuity and cooperation of prehistoric humans, offering insights into early social networks. In a remarkable discovery on the windswept cliffs of South Africa, archaeologists unearthed ancient stone tools that date back nearly 20,000 years. These findings not only underscore the survival strategies of prehistoric humans but also shed light on their sophisticated social structures and extensive cultural networks. The tools, preserved in a cliffside cave, reveal a complex level of craftsmanship and suggest a broader narrative of human history long before written records began. This discovery is a testament to the intricate tapestry of human development and offers a glimpse into the lives of our distant ancestors. A Cliffside Cave as a Portal to the Past Perched approximately 246 feet above the current sea level, the KEH-1 cave on South Africa's southern coast stands as a silent witness to a bygone era. During the last Ice Age, this cave overlooked a vast plain, now submerged, offering a strategic vantage point for its prehistoric inhabitants. The research team, led by postdoctoral researcher Sara Watson from the Field Museum in Chicago, braved the challenging ascent daily, hauling around 55 pounds of equipment to access this remote site. Their efforts were rewarded with the discovery of well-preserved sediment layers, untouched by time. The cave's altitude and isolation played a crucial role in preserving these artifacts, shielding them from harsh weather and coastal erosion. Thanks to this natural protection, archaeologists were able to identify precise archaeological layers, some over 24,000 years old. The meticulous excavation process involved cleaning each soil fragment with dental tools, revealing a treasure trove of lithic assemblages that highlight the ingenuity and adaptability of ancient cultures. Archaeologists Stunned as 2,000-Year-Old Egyptian Fortress Yields Hidden Fortifications and a Long-Buried Defensive Moat Prehistoric Stone Tools Crafted for Survival The artifacts discovered belong to the Robberg technocomplex, a cultural tradition well-documented in southern Africa and active between 26,000 and 12,000 years ago. This tradition is characterized by the production of small blades, or 'bladelets,' crafted from stone cores using precise techniques. The tools, dated between 24,000 and 12,000 years old, were meticulously analyzed by Watson and her colleagues, as detailed in their April 2025 publication in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology. What stands out about these tools is the standardization of their production. The consistent removal of flakes from the stone cores demonstrates not only a mastery of techniques but also an intentional effort to create functional, uniform shapes. While the exact use of these bladelets remains uncertain, they likely served as points for composite weapons, crucial for hunting in the open savannas populated by large herds of antelopes. These tools reflect a sophisticated adaptive strategy, illustrating the prehistoric humans' ability to innovate and thrive in challenging environments. 'Prehistoric Creatures Walked Among Us': Astonishing Discovery of Ancient Tracks Proves Flying Reptiles Ruled Both Sky and Land in Dinosaur Era Shared Craftsmanship Across Vast Distances Beyond their immediate function, these prehistoric tools reveal unexpected social dynamics. By comparing the stone-knapping methods at KEH-1 with those at other southern African sites, archaeologists identified striking similarities. These findings suggest a shared cultural practice across vast distances, with similar techniques observed in sites as far as Namibia and Lesotho. This consistency in craftsmanship indicates a conscious transmission of knowledge through cultural exchanges among distant human groups. The study's data support this model, showing that while the KEH-1 assemblage aligns with the Robberg tradition, it also features unique characteristics. The tools are slightly larger, bipolar percussion is rare, and the reduction intensity is lower, hinting at a more sporadic use of the site, possibly as a temporary hunting camp. This transient nature underscores the idea of a network of knowledge exchange, where each site contributed to a diverse yet shared technical foundation. 'The Pyramid Has Eight Sides': Stunning Discovery Reveals Hidden Geometry Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza's Ancient Design The Legacy of Human Ingenuity and Cooperation These stone tools are far more than mere material remnants; they embody the legacy of learning, skill transmission, and intergroup communication. By tracing their creation, archaeologists uncover the footprints of a humanity capable of large-scale cooperation long before written language existed. As Sara Watson notes, these Paleolithic populations were not fundamentally different from us; they adapted, innovated, and, most importantly, exchanged knowledge. Through this remarkable discovery, we gain a deeper understanding of our ancestors' resilience and ingenuity. These findings challenge us to reflect on the enduring impact of human cooperation and the intricate connections that have shaped our history. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the past, what other hidden stories of human achievement await discovery? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
CBC
14-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Indigenous midwifery services 'really essential' in Yukon, prize-winning group says
Social Sharing The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) says the next step for its Indigenous midwifery program, thanks to some new prize money, is to purchase a space that will serve as home to the program and expand its services. "It's really essential," said Shadelle Chambers, executive director of CYFN. "We know that the other northern jurisdictions and other jurisdictions across Canada have been expanding Indigenous midwifery services over the last number of decades — so, really important in terms of revitalizing cultural practices." On Tuesday, the organization's Bibia Nàtsät Ku project was named the big winner of this year's $1-million Arctic Inspiration Prize. The money will go toward opening a new, dedicated facility in Whitehorse where Yukon First Nations elders and midwives could offer sexual and reproductive health care, including birthing services. It would also offer training for Indigenous students. Chambers says the program has been "building a lot of capacity" over the last few years, such as training a couple of dozen Indigenous doulas. They also hope to have a Yukon First Nations midwife on the team soon. Chambers says it's all about bringing back more traditional birthing practices and ceremony. "What we want to do is ensure that people have culturally safe services. We know that, historically, that many clinical services are deeply entrenched in racism and discrimination, just based on historical practices and legacies," she said. "So many of our families actually often don't get the supports and services they need because of that history." Other prize winners 'insanely hyped' In all, 12 projects across the North won Arctic Inspiration Prize money on Tuesday, totalling $3.7 million. Each year, the prize money is awarded to projects in education, health, culture, arts, language, science, traditional knowledge, climate change and the economy. Among the other winners this year are an Inuit-led education program for neurodiverse and marginalized youth in Nunavut, a Yellowknife-based project to empower youth through land-based learning, and a project in Nunavik to address food insecurity and strengthen cultural practices through harvesting camps. One of the winners in the youth category was a youth dog-sledding program in Inuvik, N.W.T. The Uniaraqtuq project is receiving $100,000 for training youth in dog sledding and other traditional skills, and for a documentary about the work. Tamara Kaglik, 19, is one of the teens working on the project. She says she was "insanely hyped" to learn they'd won the prize. "I was about to cry. I started jumping around. Oh my goodness," she said. The group already does some programming at a site outside of Inuvik and they hope to now maybe build a cabin out there for multi-day stays. Along with dog-sledding, they do things like fishing, hide-stretching, canoeing, kayaking and muskrat-trapping. "I have grown up with like a lack of access to all of the things we need to be on our land in these modern times, you know. Because it can be really expensive to get a boat, Ski-doo, gas money" said Kaglik.
