The year and a half war in Ukraine has come to a surprising and interesting turn of events when, for over two days, the military group Wagner launched a massive show of force, signifying the large weakness Putin’s Russia has.

But what was the main motive behind the private military company?

Wagner was formed in 2014 as a mercenary group working closely with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Ever since, they massively expanded their field of operations, spanning Asia, Africa, and the middle east. 

They interfere in domestic and international conflicts siding with whoever has relations with the Russian government, or exclusively fund Wagner activities. 

But recently, as Russia began an invasion of Ukraine, Wagner group’s armed forces were needed elsewhere. 

It was precisely in Ukraine that Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, changed his tone from being totally one of Putin’s most loyal fighters into a harsh critic, particularly, at the military leadership of the Russian troops.

He argues that the generals push the Russian troops in Ukraine to an attrition war, causing massive casualties on the Russian side, and that he demands more attention to this matter. 

It was on the 23rd of June that Wagner began a massive rebellion across southern Russia in the cities of Rostov and Voronezh, capturing government buildings, checkpoints, and shooting down at least one helicopter.

But it was only after two days that Putin brokered a deal with the group mediated by Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko. 

What were the intentions of the group? Why would one of Putin’s most loyal and active military organizations show such swift ascending?

Not only did Wagner bring the world’s attention to a sudden halt, the group also exposed a totally vulnerable and shocked Putin that would define the rest of the invasion for years to come.

By: B.E

Sleeping is the sweet embrace of rest that rejuvenates our bodies and minds. Sleeping is regulated by internal body clocks and these clocks, known as circadian clocks, follow a cycle of approximately 24 hours. Factors like light, darkness, and our sleep schedules influence these clocks, determining when we feel awake and when we're ready for a good night's sleep.

Sleeping is crucial because it affects numerous systems in our bodies. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems, impact our metabolism, and hamper our ability to think clearly and focus on tasks. So, getting enough quality sleep is essential for our overall well-being. The need for sleep is controlled by a process called homeostasis, which helps maintain the stability of our internal systems. Adenosine, a compound in our brains, is responsible for signaling this need for sleep. As we stay awake, the levels of adenosine rise, urging us closer to sleep. Interestingly, caffeine and certain drugs can interrupt this process by blocking adenosine. The light-dark cycle plays a significant role in regulating our sleep-wake patterns. When we follow a natural schedule of days and nights, light signals received through our eyes inform our brain that it's daytime. This information is transmitted to our body, helping our central clock stay in tune with the day and night.

  On the other hand, exposure to artificial light, such as from TVs or smartphones, can disrupt this process and make it harder for us to fall asleep. Speaking of hormones, melatonin, released by our brains, promotes sleep and follows a daily pattern. Its levels start to increase in the evening, peak in the early morning, and gradually decline as we wake up. Exposure to bright artificial light in the evening can hinder the release of melatonin, making it more challenging to doze off.

Using filters or software reduces the impact of blue light emitted by devices and promotes better sleep. When our sleep-wake cycle gets out of sync Some individuals experience sleep disorders like insomnia or narcolepsy, which disrupt the natural rhythm of their sleep patterns. Other factors like shift work can also affect our sleep-wake alignment. Understanding these conditions can help us find ways to address them and improve our sleep quality. Sleeping is vital for good health and well-being throughout our lives. It supports brain function, physical health, growth, and development in children and teens. Inadequate sleep over time can lead to chronic health problems and affect our cognitive abilities and relationships with others.

To sleep well, first and foremost, establish a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Create a calming bedtime routine that includes activities like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques. Ensure your sleep environment is comfortable, quiet, and cool. Limit exposure to screens and stimulating activities close to bedtime, as the blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with sleep. Lastly, prioritize regular exercise and maintain a healthy diet. As for the recommended hours of sleep, adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours per night, while children, teens, and infants require more hours according to their respective age groups. Remember, a well-rested body and mind lead to a more vibrant and fulfilling waking life.

Steps to ensure the revision of the dark history of European colonialism can only be hailed as a great achievement of reconciliation and peaceful acceptance. 

This was the immediate reaction given to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation’s remarks on the purchase of 15th century masks from Kogi people, an indigenous population hailing from the northern mountains of Colombia. 

The masks were reported to have been purchased by a German ethnologist during a time when the notion to simply - and legally - acquire artifacts was quite rare. Nevertheless, the former mentioned foundation - which oversees the Berlin museum - is with the opinion that the purchase should have never taken place.

If anything, the meeting between the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steiner, and his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, is hailed as an important step in decolonisation as they historically shake hands over the masks presented for the whole world to see. 

Yet, as far as that goes, there emerges another issue, particularly, one that deals with the nature of how these wooden masks were preserved for 500 years. 

Throughout their lifespan in Germany, the masks were sprayed with a hazardous pesticides to protect it from decaying. The earliest times this was mentioned as a health risk was by the foundation, and it was also mentioned again when the two presidents met again on friday discussing the handover.

The pesticide used, is reported to be an absolute health risk due to it giving multitude of problems. 

The severe impact, however, lies in where the masks will go to, or for what reasons will they be used.

As mentioned, the masks are a highly symbolic artifact belonging to the Kogi people in Colombia, an indigenous American ethnic group concentrated in the mountains of northern Colombia just next to its shoreline. 

A member of the community has mentioned that the community would like to use it again for ceremonial rituals, a move that might endanger the lives of the community.

The spreading of hazardous substance on a symbolic mask used for rituals is only indicating to one thing, the mask was never meant to be returned back to its original place, but kept for observation, as a historic past, covered with chemicals.

By: B.E

According to Medical News Today nearly 80% of suicide rates are males at a rate four times higher than females because males are less likely to talk about their mental health than females. And this leads us to the stigma, shame, and social expectations around men which are resulted from cultural, and social expectations.Ex differences in mental health arise in late childhood and adolescence. This time is also when gender norms are implanted, continuing into later life whereby they continue to shape mental health and help-seeking. 

Traditional gender norms commonly drive young men to present as strong, competitive, in control, and unburdened by vulnerability. These cultural scripts support toughness, anger, hatred, and emotional control. Conversely, emotions characterized by vulnerability, including sadness, anxiety, and fear, trigger shame and become a barrier to help-seeking.  Social media makes this even worse by promoting toxic masculinity, and long adapting masculinity in the promotion of gambling, alcohol, and tobacco use. Men feel weak too, men get depression, anxiety, and stress too, and men have fears too.

We should start teaching boys from a young age it's okay to feel all of that, to have feelings, and talk about them. The lack of support during stressful transitions plays a major role in suicide among males, as they find it harder to seek help or talk about their stress and fears. As men are less likely than women to receive formal mental health support of any kind. 

We all know that mothers suffer from postpartum depression after giving birth but fathers suffer from it as well. We should start with our sons at a young age and teach them it's okay to feel weak, and vulnerable from time to time. Normalize talking about their emotions and help them grow mentally and emotionally. We must break the stigma around men`s mental health and make them feel heard and raise awareness about their mental health. 

If you are suffering from depression or anxiety or you know someone who does, remember the first step is acknowledging feelings and seeking help whether it's from a professional or a loved one you feel comfortable talking to, also being more active, and focusing on your hobby helps a lot.

It is common to browse content that promotes Kurdish self-determination and discover an adage signifying solitude: No Friends but the Mountains.

This Kurdish proverb asserts the many years the Kurds have undergone challenges and obstacles to assert their cultural and political rights of self-determination, expression, and preserving their identity by way of treason, invasion, suppression, and most importantly, abandonment.  

One key factor to analyze this term is the terrain of Kurdistan. Almost all of the traditional parts that are inhabited by a Kurdish majority – with the exception of Northern Syria (Rojava) and some parts of Northern Iraq (Başur) – are either fully mountainous or have a lot of hills.

The Kurds have historically been mountain dwellers, and have often been the center of ancient and modern inquiries to study kingdoms, wars, and societies. Kurds have traditionally and culturally adopted a nomadic lifestyle, at least in the past. This helped them to find refuge from invasion, conquest, sieges, and transition of authority into brutal regimes.

But the deep connection between this enthusiastic and almost metaphorical defender of the Kurds goes beyond just being a safe cover for the weak. It has also been used as a successful military tactic.

Asymmetrical warfare is the conflict between two or more forces with radical differences in numbers and equipment. In such a scenario, a belligerent (faction) can be heavily equipped, well trained, and supported by a large manpower while the other faction is not.

This almost perfect description of what has been the usual definition of many conflicts (Vietnam, Cuba, and French Resistance) fits perfectly for the historically oppressed and unrepresented Kurds who make up almost 50 million in the world’s population.

In ancient times, there has not been a well-established, national front that united Kurds in fighting for an independent and sovereign ethnic land. But tribes, kingdoms, and rebellions always used the mountains as a base for their operations.

By: B.E

Emotional intelligence is the power to recognize our emotions and those of others as well, identifying different feelings and labeling them properly, using emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and managing emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one's goal. 

It is the ability to identify, understand, and manage our emotions and those of others. It involves five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand our emotions, while self-regulation is the ability to manage our emotions effectively. Motivation involves using our emotions to drive us toward our goals, while empathy is the ability to understand and feel the emotions of others. Finally, social skills refer to the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and work collaboratively with others. 

The ability to analyze and control feelings, understand and empathize with other people makes emotional intelligence a crucial tool in building and maintaining healthy relationships, especially in marriage and family. Problems experienced in marriage not only cause health problems but also cause difficulty in child raising, development of problematic attachment between children and parents, conflicts between siblings, and sometimes it leads to divorce. 

EI is vital in marriage as it improves communication and conflict resolution. When couples have high emotional intelligence, they can communicate their feelings and needs effectively, leading to better understanding and problem-solving. Emotional intelligence also encourages mutual trust and respect in the relationship, leading to a stronger bond between partners, it also promotes emotional intimacy and bonding, which is essential in building a healthy and lasting relationship. Emotional intelligence is equally important in building a family. As It promotes positive parenting and discipline styles, leading to better communication and understanding between parents and their children. 

When parents have high emotional intelligence, they can manage their emotions effectively, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving. Emotional intelligence also builds strong family relationships and connections, leading to a happier and healthier family. Finally, emotional intelligence helps to manage family conflicts and challenges, leading to a more harmonious family environment. You can practice developing EI in your marriage by analyzing your feelings and being self-aware, putting yourself in your partner's shoes, and seeing things from their point of view, communicating with your partner about your feelings and concerns, being best friends with your partner and creating a safe and respectful environment for you two and the family.