Alberta Environment Minister sounds off on federal interim impact assessment plan

Story by Lisa Johnson • Edmonton Journal

“I do believe in technology and emissions reduction but I don’t believe in magic,” Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz says of federal energy policies.

Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz says the federal government’s new temporary impact assessment plan for major natural resource projects shows that Ottawa isn’t listening.

On Thursday, the federal government released interim guidance in an effort to allow major natural resource projects to continue to move forward until it tables and passes amendments to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), formerly known as Bill C-69.

It comes after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Oct. 13 that the Impact Assessment Act, which ushered in a new review process in 2019, was largely unconstitutional, and stepped into provincial jurisdiction.

“This interim guidance shows that Ottawa still does not get it,” said Schulz in a statement to Postmedia Thursday, accusing the Liberal government of failing to accept the Court’s opinion by not abandoning the act entirely.

“This interim guidance does not help reduce confusion – it only adds to it,” she said.

Earlier, Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said it’s too early to know the exact amendments that need to be made to the legislation, and didn’t offer a timeline, but said the government is working towards the “shortest path forward” to bringing it into compliance with the ruling.

“We intend to make it clear in an amendment act that the prevention of adverse environmental effects within federal jurisdiction is the government’s core policy impact – that this has always been our mission,” he said.

As part of the plan, the minister’s discretionary authority to designate projects or environmental impact will be paused

Guilbeault said that power has only been used five times since the legislation came into effect in 2019, but would be off the table until the amended legislation has come into force.

“The government of Canada wants to ensure clarity and certainty for investment in the projects this country needs,” he said.

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0:50

Under the new guidance, the Impact Assessment Agency will look at all projects currently under assessment, and provide an opinion on whether their impact is under federal jurisdiction. Guilbeault said project proponents should still continue information sharing to advance their assessments.

He said if a project doesn’t fall within federal jurisdiction, then Ottawa would look to provincial authorities to ensure a proper assessment is being done.

Consultation that’s already started with Indigenous Peoples through the existing process will continue in cases where the federal government has clear jurisdiction.

There are 23 projects currently being assessed under the IAA, and another 20 continue to be reviewed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012, the former relevant legislation.

Of the 23 projects, 10 are in the planning phase, 10 are in the impact statement phase of the assessment process and three are substituted to the Government of British Columbia.

Schulz said Alberta strongly supports Ontario’s move to apply for judicial review to affirm the bill’s unconstitutionality, and is calling on the federal government to work with provinces to find practical and constitutional ways to regulate projects and keep growing the economy.

“We want to see investment grow in Alberta, not have it driven away by unbalanced, unpredictable new rules for large-scale infrastructure projects,” she said.

lijohnson@postmedia.com

Sikh activists in B.C. emboldened by Trudeau's comments on India ahead of referendum

SURREY, B.C. — Canada's allegations about India's links to the killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have significantly bolstered vocal support for the movement calling for an independent Sikh state, said organizers of an upcoming referendum.

The group Sikhs For Justice is scheduled to hold a second round of voting for its unofficial referendum on Khalistan — referring to an independent Sikh state in India — on Sunday at the gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., where Nijjar was shot on June 18.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group's lawyer and spokesman, said organizers are expecting "thousands" of voters after the first vote in September drew such large crowds that a second day of voting was deemed necessary.

Pannun said while many supporters of the Khalistani movement had been reluctant to voice their opinions over fear of being labelled a terrorist, they now have confidence to speak out after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement that there were "credible allegations" of a potential link between the Indian government and Nijjar's killing. 

"The community has really taken it to a point where … they have formed the belief that if they do not come out in large numbers, these killings will continue," Pannun said from Washington, D.C., where he is en route to Vancouver for this weekend's vote.

He said Trudeau's statement to Parliament on Sept. 18 has opened more frank discussions in countries such as the United States and Great Britain on India's handling of the fallout from Nijjar's killing, allowing supporters to vocalize their positions without fear.

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"Now they are more vocal, and they will be coming in the thousands in Surrey and in the future Khalistani voting centres," Pannun said.

The Indian government has denied involvement in Nijjar's death, calling the allegations "absurd." 

Nijjar had been wanted in India for what authorities say were links to terrorism, including an alleged attack on a Hindu priest, an allegation that Nijjar denied.

Nijjar was also a key organizer of the Canadian referendums. Similar votes have been held in the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and Switzerland.

The Indian government has long maintained that independence activists in the Punjab region undermine India's national security, while Canada said its citizens have freedom of speech if they don't incite violence.

A 2005 Canadian government report concluded that the 1985 Air India bombings that killed 331 people were carried out as a result of a conspiracy by Sikh Khalistani separatists that was "planned and executed" in Canada. Only one man, bomb maker Inderjit Singh Reyat, was ever convicted.

India-Canada relations have frayed since Trudeau's statement about Nijjar's killing.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada had removed 41 of its 62 diplomats from India after Indian authorities threatened to strip diplomatic immunities for Canadian officials and their families.

There have been signs of thawing relations, as India said this week it is resuming entry visa services in Canada for some categories, including business, medical and those wanting to attended conferences.

Visas for tourists, students, journalists and missionaries appear to remain restricted.

"Emergency situations will continue to be addressed by the high commission (of India) and the consulates general as it is being done currently," said a statement posted to Indian consulates' websites.

Pannun said Sikhs For Justice has "never incited, provoked or promoted any kind of violent activity. 

However, he said India believes the referendum on Khalistan is a violent activity. 

"That's India's version," Pannun said, adding that members of the activists community are acting to protect their democratic rights by voting.

"Whenever there is going to be injustice, you need raise your voice, even if you have to lose your life. So, this is the basic principle of Sikhism, and that's what we follow."

The first vote in September included a question on whether voters felt India was involved in Nijjar's killing, but Pannun said the question has been removed since Trudeau made his comments.

— By Chuck Chiang in Vancouver 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2023.

The Canadian Press

Canada's Tammara Thibeault wins Pan Am boxing gold in thrilling final

Story by CBC/Radio-Canada  • 

Canadian boxer Tammara Thibeault, left, celebrates her victory over Panama's Atheyna Bylon in their middleweight gold medal bout at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile on Friday.

© Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

Canada's Tammara Thibeault will arrive in Paris next summer looking to complete her golden collection.

The Shawinigan, Que., native beat Panama's Atheyna Bylon in the 75-kilogram final to win the Pan Am Games title on Friday in Santiago, Chile.

The two combatants were tied after two rounds, but Thibeault earned a unanimous decision in the third and final round to take gold.

"It means the world," Thibeault said. "Out of all the tournaments I've been to, I've been able to capture gold and I was missing Pan Ams. Now missing the Olympics, but hopefully we're on the right path and that's what we're going to get.

"I'm very proud of myself, very proud of my team. I couldn't have done it alone."

Thibeault, 26, also holds the 2022 world and Commonwealth Games titles.

She booked her spot at next summer's Olympics by winning her semifinal on Thursday. Now, she'll work toward improving on her Canadian women's record quarterfinal finish from Tokyo 2020.

"I expect to come out on top [at Paris 2024]. Expect to come out with a gold medal, and make history for Canada," Thibeault said.

In a rematch of last year's world championship, Thibeault and Bylon traded blows throughout. Despite their similar statures, contrasting styles turned the fight into a strategic battle, with the Canadian looking to aggressively attack while the Panamian preferred to pick her spots.

Related video: Tammara Thibeault looking to add Pan Am Games gold to her trophy case (cbc.ca) View on Watch

It was Bylon who held the advantage with three of five judges after the first round, prompting Thibeault to lean even further into her quick-strike ability. By the end of the second round, four judges had the tilt all-square, with one favouring the Canadian.

A tense final round saw the combatants take turns holding the seeming advantage, with Bylon controlling much of the pace. But a late flurry from Thibeault might have swung things the other way, and the Canadian emerged with a unanimous victory.

"We did know each other pretty well. She's s tricky boxy to fight. She's skilled. She's a little rough," Thibeault said. "I was a little disappointed in my performance today. I pulled off the win, yeah, but I could have boxed better.

"I would have cleaned it up a little bit, use straighter punches, less holding, work a little bit more on the inside, be smarter tactically and not let it get so messy and so close."

Thibeault now holds the 2-0 edge in title fights over Bylon — but the next one could be for the Olympic crown.

Later Friday, Wyatt Sanford of Kennetcook, N.S., will look to join Thibeault atop the boxing podium when he takes on Mexico's Miguel Angel Martinez in the men's 63.5kg final.

Live coverage of the Pan Am Games continues on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.

SEE

Gymnast Felix Dolci 1st Canadian in 60 years to win men's all-around final at Pan Am Games

NB Tories blasted for daycare wait list higher than 3,000

Story by The Canadian Press  • 

New Brunswick’s education minister is blaming Ottawa for the shortage of affordable daycare spaces in the province, even though his Progressive Conservative government signed a $492-million deal less than two years ago to help parents of young children.

Under fire Thursday for a wait list for daycare space that’s grown to more than 3,000 children, Education Minister Bill Hogan repeatedly said in question period that the agreement New Brunswick had forged with the Trudeau Liberal government in Ottawa favoured designated, non-profit daycares, even though the majority of daycares in the province are for-profit.

The for-profits are being left out in the cold, he argued.

“We do have targets as we move forward but the ultimate goal is to have no spaces left to give out,” the minister told the house. “The only way we can do that in New Brunswick is we renegotiate the deal with the federal government, with some co-operation from the Liberals in Ottawa, that they recognize our unique situation.”

He said Prince Edward Island had forged an agreement that was better, allowing daycares that make 10 per cent profit or less to be designated non-profit and become eligible for government funding. 

Hogan then called upon the Liberal opposition to reach out to “their Liberal cousins,” to get some traction.

“Please call Mr. Trudeau.”

The Opposition Liberals, who dedicated the entire portion of their questions to the daycare dilemma, hit back that it was the Tory government’s responsibility to re-negotiate with Ottawa, not an opposition party.

Liberal Leader Susan Holt demanded to know why the throne speech delivered Oct. 17 said the Tory government planned on creating 550 subsidized daycare spaces, when the wait list is closer to 3,300 or worse, given that some parents only put their children on daycare waiting lists, not the provincial government’s master list.

She cited several unnamed parents who could not return to work because they couldn’t find a daycare space for their child, including a Fredericton surgeon and an obstetrician-gynecologist who aren’t taking patients until they find a decent spot for their six-month old infant. Another employee at one of Holt's favourite businesses in Bathurst, which she represents as an MLA, has taken a six-month leave of absence because she can’t find daycare for her child, the Liberal leader claimed.

Talking to reporters afterwards, she said she didn't have permission to divulge their names.

New Brunswick was the last of the provinces to sign the five-year deal in 2021, which an independent research group, Cardus, said last week led to it having “underwhelming results” in the first year.

The agreement was supposed to reduce fees for parents by half of the 2019 average fee by the end of year one, or March 31, 2022, and to an average of $10 a day by year five.

Now halfway through the deal, the average out-of-pocket child care fee after subsidies for New Brunswick families is $12.82 a day, according to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

The deal was also meant to ensure more daycares would be designated with the higher standard of early childcare centres, with 3,400 full-time-equivalent new spaces created by the end of the agreement in 2027.

That would be the equivalent of 680 new spaces a year, a target New Brunswick is failing to achieve.

Hogan told reporters his government had set 550 spaces as a goal this year because it was a realistic target, given some complicating factors. Acknowledging that there was a dire need for more infant spaces, he noted that daycare centres had to get the proper designation before applying for the spots. The provincial government maintains a grid where the most needy places are prioritized according to location and whether they serve children in English or French.

“It’s not as simple as ‘we need a space, give it to me.’ They have to demonstrate they’re capable and there has to be a real need in that area and in the right language.”

As for why New Brunswick signed a deal it is less than satisfied with two years later, Hogan said he wasn’t the minister at the time, alluding to former minister Dominic Cardy, who quit cabinet last year after getting into some very public disagreements with Premier Blaine Higgs over several issues.

Hogan said at the moment, talks about changing the agreement remain at the departmental level between provincial and federal bureaucrats.

“If we don’t have any success at that level, we’ll have to move it into the political domain,” the minister said. 

He also insisted Holt could help by calling Trudeau and the federal government’s senior Liberal cabinet minister in New Brunswick, Dominic LeBlanc.

“She could certainly help move that dial so we could get more childcare spaces.”

Holt called it an abdication of responsibility.

“If they’re telling us they can’t do that and they want us to do that instead, that suggests to me they can’t do their jobs.”

She added that she didn’t “have a hotline” to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and it was up to Higgs to take action.

“I’m fairly certain the prime minister would respond to the premier of the province before me.”

Part of Holt’s frustration was the lack of answers when she asked about Carrefour Beausoleil, a francophone daycare in Miramichi with 200 children that wants to expand by 100 spaces.

She said even though the daycare has the proper designation, it’s been rejected by the department. Hogan had responded that he didn’t have any details about that particular application and couldn’t comment.

Green MLA Kevin Arseneau said every part of the province had a waitlist, including the communities of Rogersville and Richibucto in his own riding of Kent North just south of Miramichi. 

He said the Tories had no one but themselves to blame.

“They’re scapegoating and trying to blame someone else,” Arseneau said. “Go to Ottawa and negotiate the deal you signed, but while you’re negotiating don’t stop working on the problems.”

Much of the issue, he said, was driven by a lack of personnel. He said it didn’t help matters that most daycare providers make a maximum of $24 an hour.

“Daycares are telling me that they are losing a lot of employees to schools, as teacher assistants make $35 an hour or $31 if they only have a Grade 12 education,” he said, adding he thought that was a fair wage for T.A.s, but he believes daycare providers should make the same amount. “The experts tell us that the most education we can give to a child is from 0 to age 5. So we need to give that kind of prestige to the work they are doing.”

John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner

SEE

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2023/10/saskatchewan-manitoba-and-newfoundland.html

New book describes pipeline activism grounded in First Nations spiritual belief and ceremony

Story by The Canadian Press  • 

It Stops Here: Standing Up for Our Lands, Our Waters, and Our People is a powerful work by Rueben George that chronicles his journey in leading Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s fight against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in British Columbia.

And while the expansion is set to start operating in the first quarter of 2024, boosting the pipeline’s capacity to 890,000 barrels per day from 300,000 and carrying oil from Alberta to Burnaby, BC, George still believes the fight has been a victory.

“We said ‘No.’ We said, ‘No’ like our ancestors have. We were stewards of our lands and our waters till the bitter end. And that in itself is something. We didn't settle. We didn't negotiate, and that's something. We said ‘No’ like our ancestors did,” said George.

To understand fully the victory is to understand the concept of naut'sa mawt, which George defines in his book as “everything is interconnected and related.”

As he writes, “This fight against the pipeline is also a much bigger story about who we are and why we fight to protect what we have. The story that I want to tell is the story of our people and our reciprocal relationship with our lands and waters dating back to our First Mother.”

It is that connectedness that sees George start his story with the impact of colonization, Indian residential schools and the brutality of intergenerational trauma.

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“What I talk about in the book (is) that generational pain is passed on. But also the good things are passed on. And what's helped us is our culture and our spirituality,” he said.

George recounts the “horrible things” that happened to him, his own hardships, his addictions and alcoholism, his reputation as a brawler, his broken marriage.

But then there was the healing through ceremony.

“So at the other side of that healing of myself, I connected to our lands and our waters and our people and everything on it.” he said. He recalled his grandfather, Academy Award-winning actor Chief Dan George, who at the height of his fame said ‘All I want is for the grass to hear me.’

It was something Rueben understood intimately.

“We heal in ceremony with the elements: Fire, earth, water and sky. Then we gain connection to fire, earth, water and sky. And we have a responsibility when we feel good because of that ceremony.

“Let's give back to the things that help us to feel better. That's the human beings and fire, earth, water and sky. We protect what we learn to love to help us to heal,” Rueben said.

It was only natural then for that love to translate into a battle against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

In It Stops Here, George writes about the many protests, which included his mother Ta’ah Amy George standing at his side; teaming up with environmental groups; presentations to the National Energy Board; undertaking legal challenges at the Federal Court of Appeal; meeting with Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Cabinet; and speaking at a board meeting hosted by Kinder Morgan, the original owner of the Transmountain Pipeline.

He has no doubt that the protest efforts of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation caused Kinder Morgan to back out of the project, forcing Canada to purchase the pipeline for $4.5 billion in 2018.

In a recent Globe and Mail article, Dawn Farrell, CEO for the Trans Mountain Crown corporation, lists the numerous obstacles the expansion faced. She does not include First Nations opposition.

That doesn’t surprise George.

“The first thing that comes to mind is (Farrell) not recognizing the Indigenous rights that we fought on to delay (the pipeline) as long as we did, because we went to court and we sent them back to the drawing board,” said George.

Farrell also spoke about the need to include Indigenous co-ownership in the pipeline when Canada sells it.

While George acknowledges that many First Nations supported the pipeline expansion, along with the economic opportunities it presented, he contends that owning the pipeline is not a deal. In fact, he calls it a “stranded asset.”

“We did multiple economic analysis of this pipeline, working with world renowned economists, and we explained that it doesn't make sense. And then the Federal Court of Appeal judges agreed with us. They said, ‘Your economic analysis is right, and Canada is wrong, but we're still going to side with the best interest of Canada.’ So even when we won, we still lost,” George said.

He adds that almost 13 years ago the projected price tag of the pipeline was pegged at $7 billion, with the estimated debt to be paid off in 20 years. Now that pipeline has a $31 billion debt attached to it.

“So the chances of making money are minimal,” said George.

“What I'm afraid of is First Nations’ involvement in this stranded asset, which could be economic smallpox… I hope they do their due diligence and look at it and work with experts that will find what we found, that it's not profitable and it's not good for our economy. It's not good for First Nations. I really, really hope they look at that because that's why no one else has bought it,” he said.

As for the pipeline creating jobs, George urges First Nations to consider green energy, which does not have the fallout of atmospheric rivers, floods, fires, melting ice and endangering species.

George came around to writing this part-memoir, part-activist account after meeting award-winning author Michael Simpson. Simpson had intended to write a book about the opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Then he met George.

As Simpson writes in It Stops Here “…it quickly became clear that this was a story about so much more than the pipeline. Rueben’s story is the story of the Tsleil-Waututh people and their ancestral connection to the lands and waters in which their legal and spiritual systems are grounded.”

George admits that “everybody sort of thinks about” writing a book and Simpson, who became a close friend, gave him the opportunity to more than think about it.

George recalled talking it over with his son Cedar George Parker and telling him that he didn’t know what to write about. His son replied: “It’s easy, Daddy…It’s like Star Wars…It’s the Georges and the rebels against the evil empire.”

It Stops Here: Standing Up for Our Lands, Our Waters, and our People is published by Penguin Random House Canada and is available at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688127/it-stops-here-by-rueben-george-with-michael-simpson/

Windspeaker.com

By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com, Windspeaker.com

Kitchener Centre NDP riding association calls for party leader Marit Stiles to resign after Sarah Jama ousted

Story by Kate Bueckert •  CBC


The Kitchener Centre NDP riding association has called on Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles to resign, a move being criticized by the local candidate in a yet-to-be called byelection.

The riding association publicly released a letter it says it sent to Stiles on Wednesday asking her to resign immediately, "due to her colossal failure to lead at an unprecedented time of war and rise of fascism."

It was released after Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama was removed from the NDP caucus Monday, following her comments earlier this month in support of the people of Gaza as the Hamas-Israeli war that began Oct. 7 continues.

Jama's comments prompted Premier Doug Ford to call for the MPP's resignation and he accused her of antisemitism.

Stiles said in a statement that while the caucus allows different viewpoints, some of Jama's actions since making her comments "have contributed to unsafe work environments for staff."

"Ms. Jama and I had reached an agreement to keep her in the NDP caucus, which included working together in good faith with no surprises. Our caucus and staff have made significant efforts to support her during an undoubtedly difficult time," Stiles said.


Jama was kicked out of the NDP caucus this week. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)© Bobby Hristova/CBC

"Since then, she has undertaken a number of unilateral actions that have undermined our collective work and broken the trust of her colleagues."
Kitchener Centre seat currently empty

The Kitchener Centre NDP riding association letter said the group felt Stiles failed to support Jama.

"Rather than supporting MPP Sarah Jama's courageous leadership and principled stand to support human rights, you decided to distance yourself from MPP Sarah Jama for what appears to be short-term political calculus," the letter said.


The Kitchener Centre seat is vacant. Former MPP Laura Mae Lindo, who was an NDP member, stepped down in July to take on a new job at the University of Waterloo.

No date has been set for a byelection.

The NDP candidate is Debbie Chapman, a current Kitchener city councillor. In an email, Chapman told CBC News she was "very disappointed" the riding association executive did not consult with her when writing or releasing the letter.

"I am proud to be running to be the provincial voice for the people of Kitchener Centre, and to do so under the NDP — the only party that has taken a principled stance on the conflict in Israel-Palestine. I stand behind our leader," Chapman wrote.

Stiles has not yet responded to CBC K-W's request for comment on the riding association letter.
Call for leadership review

The Kitchener Centre NDP riding association isn't the only one condemning how Stiles has handled the situation with Jama.

The Hamilton Centre association for the riding Jama represents put out a statement saying removing Jama from the party "constitutes an attack on democracy, social justice and all those activists who fight for truth and human rights."


The Hamilton Centre riding association called for a leadership review.

Jama apologized online for her comments the day after she made them.

This week, Jama was removed from the party and censured at Queen's Park, meaning Speaker Ted Arnott cannot let her speak in the Ontario Legislature until she makes a verbal apology.

Jama said this week she will continue to work on behalf of her Hamilton constituents.

On Monday, Ontario NDP MPP Sarah Jama was censured by the Ontario legislature for her criticism of Israel

October 26, 2023



Dear Internationalist,

On Monday, Ontario NDP MPP Sarah Jama was censured by the Ontario legislature for her criticism of Israel, which has killed more than 7000 Palestinians over the past two weeks. Jama lost her ability to speak in the legislature. Subsequently Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles expelled Jama from the party caucus, so she also has no party.

All because she spoke out against genocidal policies.

Tomorrow at 12PM ET the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute is hosting an online rally featuring Desmond Cole, Judy Rebick and many others titled "Defend Sarah Jama. Stop the Attack on Gaza."

REGISTER FOR ONLINE RALL




This week we also launched a letter to the Ontario NDP demanding they immediately reinstate Jama. Please take a minute to join thousands who’ve already taken action and email Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles.

SEND A LETTER TO MARIT STILES

In other news, last week Canada hosted the first CARICOM conference ever held outside of the Caribbean. This week's edition of "Talking Foreign Policy" features Black Alliance for Peace’s Tamanisha John who breaks down what took place and addresses Canada’s immense influence in the region.



A reminder that CFPI relies on donations from activists like you to keep doing our work. Please consider becoming a monthly sustainer or making a donation. We need your support!

DONATE NOW

Peace & solidarity,

Bianca Mugyenyi
Director, Canadian Foreign Policy Institute

CANADIAN FOREIGN POLICY INSTITUTE

The Canadian Foreign Policy Institute informs people about the country’s diplomatic, aid, intelligence, trade and military policies abroad. The CFPI opposes the racism embedded in Canadian foreign policy.

Visit our site:
www.foreignpolicy.ca

Egyptian 'Book of the Dead' Scroll From 1550 B.C. Discovered in Ancient Cemetery

Story by Samyarup Chowdhury • Knewz.com 

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Egyptian cemetery in Tuna al-Gebel in central Egypt, where, among other artifacts, they found a rare 49-ft scroll believed to be part of the "Book of the Dead."

Knewz.com has learned that the cemetery dates back to the New Kingdom era of ancient Egypt, making it around 3,500 years old.

Archaeologists have found a 3,500-year-old ancient Egyptian cemetery. By: Ministry of Tourism and Antiques© Knewz (CA)

The archaeological mission to excavate the site commenced in 2017, but the cemetery was found only recently.

The "Book of the Dead" is a modern name given to texts that helped the dead navigate the underworld, Live Science reports.

Archaeologists have found mummies, sarcophagi (coffins), amulets and numerous "shabti" figurines in the cemetery, along with the extremely rare papyrus scroll. Jars meant to contain the organs of the deceased were also found at the site.

The findings were announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiques of Egypt at an October 15 press conference, The Sun reports.

The intriguing "Book of the Dead" scroll that was found in the cemetery is part of a series of ancient Egyptian ritual spells. According to the Getty Center: "These helped the deceased find their way to the afterlife and become united with the sun god Re and the netherworld god Osiris in a continual cycle of renewal and rebirth."



A section from a copy of the© Knewz (CA)

The Getty further explains that although there are nearly 200 known spells, they were not exactly collected into books. Sequences of these spells "were inscribed on objects from mummy wrappings to coffins to figurines to papyrus scrolls, all meant to accompany the dead in the tomb."

In fact, a section of the sequence was also inscribed inside King Tutankhamun's golden mask.

Although the text is commonly known as the "Book of the Dead," the official translation of the name of the collection is "The Chapters/Book of Going Forth By Day" according to the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE).



Jars meant to contain the organs of the deceased were also found at the site. By: Ministry of Tourism and Antiques© Knewz (CA)

"This funerary text provides some of the most vivid and enduring images from the ancient world – there are few who have not heard some version of the Book of the Dead’s afterlife mythology," an ARCE article about the famed collection reads.

"Familiar scenes – like a scale weighing a heart of the deceased against a feather or the eternal destruction of a soul by a deity composed of animal parts – originate from the Book of the Dead," the article adds.



Archaeologists found a number of other artifacts at the New Kingdom-era cemetery. By: Ministry of Tourism and Antiques© Knewz (CA)

The "Book of the Dead" papyrus found in this cemetery is about 43 to 49 feet. However, the statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities does not have many details about the find, although experts have touted it as a very significant discovery.

Foy Scalf, an Egyptologist and head of research archives at The University of Chicago, told the news outlet Live Science that it is "very rare" to find a copy of the "Book of the Dead" in the grave where it was originally buried.

"Without photographs, it is hard to say more, and it is customary to wait for some form of official publication to form solid assessments," said Scalf.

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Scientists use Blade Runner-esque technique to reveal how avoidant attachment influences emotional processing

2023/10/17


New research provides evidence that individuals with avoidant attachment styles exhibit distinct patterns of emotional processing. Just like in the sci-fi movie “Blade Runner,” where characters use pupillometry to distinguish between humans and androids, this real-world research measures changes in pupil size to investigate underlying personality characteristics. The study was published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology.

“Phasic pupil dilation (i.e., stimulus-evoked fluctuation in pupil size) is a sensitive marker of several neurocognitive processes, especially orienting/directed attention and emotional arousal (probably due to a strong link between the brain’s noradrenergic system, responsible for regulating vigilance and alertness, and the autonomic nervous system),” explained study author Johannes B. Finke, a senior lecturer at the University of Siegen.

“Previous research has suggested that altered processing of social information, e.g. in certain conditions such as autism, is indexed by diminished pupil dilation responses to such stimuli, highlighting its potential usefulness as a biomarker and/or diagnostic tool.

“Moreover, there is growing evidence, that different attachment styles are also characterized by specific attentional biases (e.g., more shallow processing of faces or attachment-related words, especially in a negative context, in people with avoidant attachment). However, little is (was) known regarding potential associations with pupil-size modulation (or other psychophysiological indices), which was our main reason for conducting this study.”

The current study included 37 participants, mostly young adults from the University of Trier and the University of Applied Sciences Trier. These participants were asked to view a variety of images while their pupil size was closely monitored using a video-based infrared eye-tracking device. The images ranged from everyday scenes and nature to erotic and violent content.

The participants also completed a questionnaire that assessed their attachment styles, examining their levels of anxiety and avoidance in relationships. This information allowed the researchers to explore how different attachment patterns might influence the way people react to emotional stimuli.

People with avoidant attachment styles tend to be more independent and self-reliant. They might feel uncomfortable with too much emotional closeness and often prefer to keep their feelings to themselves. In relationships, they may downplay their emotional needs and value their autonomy.

On the other hand, individuals with anxious attachment styles often crave emotional intimacy and reassurance from their partners. They may worry about their relationships and fear abandonment, sometimes becoming overly dependent on their partners for emotional support.

For those with avoidant attachment styles, the researchers observed that their pupils showed a reduced response to social stimuli. This suggests that individuals with these attachment styles might habitually suppress their emotional reactions, especially when faced with potentially distressing social situations, such as violence.

“Cognitive biases that result from different attachment experiences (or variation in personality traits) may be assessed at an implicit level, using the pupil as ‘the mind’s eye’ or a ‘window into the brain,'” Finke told PsyPost. “If you prefer a pop-cultural reference, this is roughly similar to the use of pupillometry in the well-known sci-fi movie Blade Runner for assessing emotional/empathetic responses (in order to identify replicants vs. humans).”

However, the study didn’t reveal significant differences for those with anxious attachment patterns. While there were some hints of increased attention to negative images, it didn’t reach statistical significance.

Notably, when it came to erotic images, attachment patterns didn’t play a significant role in influencing pupil reactions. This finding suggests that sexual content might evoke strong emotional responses in most individuals, regardless of their attachment styles.

“We found significant associations of pupil dilation to pictures with social content (using nature pictures as control) only with avoidant, but not anxious, attachment,” Finke said. “That is, contrary to expectations, higher levels of attachment anxiety were not linked to increased pupillary responses to scenes of violence, etc. By contrast, the higher a participant’s level of attachment avoidance, the smaller his or her response to social content in general (with the exception of erotica).”

While this study offers exciting insights into the relationship between attachment patterns and emotional processing, it’s important to note that the research had a few limitations. The sample size was relatively small, and the participants were mostly young adults. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples could help confirm and expand upon these findings.

“Because of the time-expensive assessments in the lab, the sample size was quite small for an individual-differences study,” Finke told PsyPost. “Also, the participants were relatively young on average and mostly healthy, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other (e.g. older and/or clinical) populations. Since the assessment of attachment patterns relied on self-report (validated questionnaires), we can not be absolutely certain that the participants’ behavior in everyday life matches their self-description.”

“Moreover, a longitudinal approach (i.e., repeated measurements over a longer period of time) would be beneficial in order to corroborate the assumption of a causal link between these constructs as well as the potential predictive validity of pupillary response for actual behavior.

“Of note: No gender differences at all emerged,” Finke added. “As in previous research, all participants responded most strongly to sexual content, which is in line with the notion that pupil size is also a reliable marker of sexual interest.”

The study, “Close(d) to you? Avoidant attachment is associated with attenuated pupil responsivity to social stimuli“, was authored by Johannes B. Finke, Kim D. Opdensteinen, Tim Klucken, and Hartmut Schachinger.

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Cryptocurrency’s popularity in the U.S. tied to conservative moral foundations

2023/10/21


In a recent study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology, researchers provide evidence that cryptocurrency technology, specifically its current adopters in the United States, tends to align more closely with conservative moral values rather than liberal ones.

The world of cryptocurrency, often associated with decentralized financial systems, has surged in popularity in recent years. While many view it as a tool for financial freedom, its underlying motivations have remained relatively unexplored in academic circles. Prior research has examined the financial and technological aspects of cryptocurrencies but has largely ignored their sociopolitical implications.

Researchers at the University of Utah and Toronto Metropolitan University ventured into a study to understand the moral foundations of crypto advocates. Given the divisive nature of discussions surrounding cryptocurrency — with enthusiasts often promoting it as a solution to many economic woes — the study was rooted in understanding societal and political inclinations behind the topic.

In their research, the team analyzed a large set of tweets related to Bitcoin and conducted a controlled survey — overall, unpacking information learned across two studies. In the first study, a total of 959,393 tweets regarding crypto were analyzed for their usage of moral-language (such as words like “pure”, “impure”, and “theft”).

In the second study, a total of 500 participants, all based in the United States, were recruited through a study recruiting website called Prolific. 487 passed all attention checks and were included in the analysis, with 297 women and 190 men, averaging 37 years old. All of them answered a series of questions probing interest and attitudes towards cryptocurrency.

Then, researchers compared the alignment of crypto enthusiasts with what are known as “binding moral foundations” (Authority, Purity, and Loyalty) – typically associated with political conservatives – to “individualizing foundations” (Fairness and Care) which are often linked to liberals.

The findings were revealing. Crypto enthusiasts, especially in the U.S., seem to resonate more with the conservative values of Authority, Purity, and Loyalty than the liberal ideals of Fairness and Care. In simpler terms, those with an interest in cryptocurrency, based on tweet analysis and survey results, showed a stronger alignment with the moral values often held by political conservatives. This suggests that the appeal of cryptocurrencies might be deeply rooted in these moral principles, potentially influencing adoption decisions.

The researchers concluded that “our findings document convergent evidence indicating that crypto is best understood as ‘right-wing tech’ more closely aligned with conservative moral foundations at the current stage of adoption. Our analyses of a large set of Bitcoin tweets and a controlled survey indicate that binding moral foundations (Authority, Purity, and Loyalty) that are more closely associated with political conservatives better reflect one’s interest in cryptocurrency than individualizing foundations (Fairness and Care).”

However, it’s essential to understand the scope of these findings. While the research provides a novel insight into the moral alignments of cryptocurrency users, it’s mainly correlational. This means while there’s a noticeable link between conservative values and crypto interest, it doesn’t necessarily imply a direct causation. Also, this study primarily focused on crypto advocates within the U.S., so extrapolating these findings to a global audience might not be entirely accurate.

Furthermore, the research centered more on understanding the majority – those investing and showing interest in cryptocurrency. It didn’t dive deeply into the actions of a minority, like fraudulent businesses trying to scam investors. And while cryptocurrency’s decentralized and open-record nature might seem a deterrent for dishonest activities, it doesn’t mean dishonesty is entirely absent.

Sachin Banker of University of Utah, alongside Joowon Park and Eugene Chan of Toronto Metropolitan University, authored this study — titled “The moral foundations of cryptocurrency: evidence from Twitter and survey research“.

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