A woman has been facing all kinds of obstacles in life because she has been named Marijuana Pepsi from birth, however, she has decided never to change her name.&nbsp;

Ironically, the 52-year-old woman does not drink fizzy drinks, or alcohol or smoke weed, as reported by The New York Post.&nbsp;

Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck was named by her mother who had claimed that this name would "take her around the world" because of its originality.

Marijuana said that as she grew up she faced questions about the moniker and some even assumed that her mother took drugs or had been imprisoned, which was not true.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-spider-woman-of-china-can-climb-108-metre-cliff-without-any-safety-gear-765483">This 'Spider-Woman' of China can climb 108-metre cliff without any safety gear</a>

Marijuana completed her PhD in Higher Educational Leadership and works at Community College of Baltimore County. She is also the founder of Action as Empowerment Center for Change.

The woman has often been asked why she did not consider changing her name or has been asked to change it.&nbsp;

<h2>Marijuana's job challenge</h2>

Marijuana said that a lot of job applications submitted by her have been declined because of her name and some have even said that she shouldn't be permitted to work in education.&nbsp;

She has never smoked weed but gets approached by marijuana companies “all the time” who ask to work with her.&nbsp;

Marijuana, who stays close to Live Oak, Florida, said, “Classmates and even teachers would whisper and come up to me asking if it was my real name."

“I would overhear people speculating if my mother was a ‘crackhead’ – I still have people say that to this day. When people find out my name, they ask for my nickname instead. I tell them if calling me Marijuana isn’t comfortable, they can call me Dr Vandyck," she said.

“I always knew I would get a PhD as I’ve dedicated my life to education – and I thought if people would be calling me Marijuana Pepsi, I’ll be Dr Marijuana Pepsi," Marijuana further stated.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-widow-finds-out-about-husbands-infidelity-after-his-death-eats-his-ashes-765270">Canadian widow finds out about husband's infidelity after his death, eats his ashes</a>

“It’s my superpower because I don’t have to live within the expectations of others – people think things about me based on my name but I define success on my own terms," she stated.&nbsp;

The woman said she is not ashamed of her name, although it makes others uncomfortable.

"I won’t answer to a different name to appease someone who is clearly in their head about what they think it means to call me my own name. It’s a problem, but it’s not my problem," Marijuana said.&nbsp;

“People don’t believe me when I say I’ve never smoked weed – because ‘there’s no way someone called Marijuana isn’t a smoker’. I do get hit up by marijuana companies, but I wouldn’t do anything with them unless it was centred around education. I just get high on life," she said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A woman has been facing all kinds of obstacles in life because she has been named Marijuana Pepsi from birth, however, she has decided never to change her name. Ironically, the 52-year-old woman does not drink fizzy drinks, or alcohol or smoke weed, as reported by The New York Post.

A woman has been facing all kinds of obstacles in life because she has been named Marijuana Pepsi from birth, however, she has decided never to change her name. Ironically, the 52-year-old woman does not drink fizzy drinks, or alcohol or smoke weed, as reported by The New York Post. Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck was named by her mother who had claimed that this name would "take her around the world" because of its originality. Marijuana said that as she grew up she faced questions about the moniker and some even assumed that her mother took drugs or had been imprisoned, which was not true. Also Read: This 'Spider-Woman' of China can climb 108-metre cliff without any safety gear Marijuana completed her PhD in Higher Educational Leadership and works at Community College of Baltimore County. She is also the founder of Action as Empowerment Center for Change. The woman has often been asked why she did not consider changing her name or has been asked to change it. Marijuana's job challenge Marijuana said that a lot of job applications submitted by her have been declined because of her name and some have even said that she shouldn't be permitted to work in education. She has never smoked weed but gets approached by marijuana companies “all the time” who ask to work with her. Marijuana, who stays close to Live Oak, Florida, said, “Classmates and even teachers would whisper and come up to me asking if it was my real name." “I would overhear people speculating if my mother was a ‘crackhead’ – I still have people say that to this day. When people find out my name, they ask for my nickname instead. I tell them if calling me Marijuana isn’t comfortable, they can call me Dr Vandyck," she said. “I always knew I would get a PhD as I’ve dedicated my life to education – and I thought if people would be calling me Marijuana Pepsi, I’ll be Dr Marijuana Pepsi," Marijuana further stated. Also Read: Canadian widow finds out about husband's infidelity after his death, eats his ashes “It’s my superpower because I don’t have to live within the expectations of others – people think things about me based on my name but I define success on my own terms," she stated. The woman said she is not ashamed of her name, although it makes others uncomfortable. "I won’t answer to a different name to appease someone who is clearly in their head about what they think it means to call me my own name. It’s a problem, but it’s not my problem," Marijuana said. “People don’t believe me when I say I’ve never smoked weed – because ‘there’s no way someone called Marijuana isn’t a smoker’. I do get hit up by marijuana companies, but I wouldn’t do anything with them unless it was centred around education. I just get high on life," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

This woman is called ‘Marijuana Pepsi’ and her name has made her unfit for jobs

The United States’ New York Police Department (NYPD) has yet again lowered its requirement for new recruits as it moved to scrap its 1.5-mile (2.4 km) at the police academy, the training Chief Juanita Holmes told the New York Post. The move has since sparked debate among department officials with many weighing in about the so-called controversial move.&nbsp;

According to Holmes, the move will make it easier for female applicants to become a part of the NYPD. Notably, this also comes months after the department dramatically relaxed its police fitness test after a record wave of retirements. Furthermore, the head of training has also insisted that the timed run which needs to be completed by the men and women in 14 minutes and 21 seconds is not necessary to become an officer.&nbsp;

“No cop on patrol runs a mile and a half…No one’s chasing anyone a mile and a half. Not to mention every day in the gym you’re doing a mile and a half (as part of training)”, said Holmes to the Post. She added that this requirement holds back otherwise qualified candidates, particularly women.&nbsp;

However, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and now-retired Chief Kenneth Corey were against the move and took the matter up with the city’s Mayor Eric Adams, who reportedly agreed with Holmes. Therefore, now the only physical fitness criterion to become a part of the NYPD is the Job Standard Test (JST) which is a multi-step course which needs to be completed in four minutes and 28 seconds.&nbsp;

Notably, the NYPD has not responded to specific questions about the requirement in question as well as the move to scrap it and said that the JST meets the training standards required by the state. “To date, the NYPD is in compliance with the physical fitness standards set by the (state’s Municipal Police Training Council). The requirements to complete the daily physical training and tactics of our Police Academy, including running nearly every day, remains unchanged,” reported the Post.&nbsp;

This has also led many to question the fitness of the levels of the cops in the NYPD. “Cops are already out of shape. What’s going to be coming in here now?” said one police officer from Manhattan. While Eugene O’Donnell, professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former NYPD cop, speaking to the Post blamed the move on the “defund the police” movement.&nbsp;

He added, “They’re the ones that did this, and they’re the ones who are going to have to live with the consequences of a department where the utterly unfit are all that’s left in the pool.” &nbsp;O’Donnell also told the Post how this decision is not driven by research but “sheer desperation” and how there is nothing but “disadvantages to public safety from this decision.”

Similarly, City Councilman Robert Holden said that he was worried about New York making it too easy to become a police officer and suggested giving more time to recruits to finish the run rather than just scrapping it entirely. “I think there’s more women that are fit than men! I’ve seen cops that are not fit and they can’t run more than one block - they are at a distinct disadvantage if they’re not fit,” said Holden, as per The Post.&nbsp;

This also comes after a six-foot wall inside the Police Academy gym was replaced with a chain-link fence which is said to be easier to climb, as per the report which cited a cellphone video showing multiple out-of-shape cops trying and failing to scale the barrier.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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The United States’ New York Police Department (NYPD) has yet again lowered its requirement for new recruits as it moved to scrap its 1.5-mile (2.4 km) at the police academy, the training Chief Juanita Holmes told the New York Post.

The United States’ New York Police Department (NYPD) has yet again lowered its requirement for new recruits as it moved to scrap its 1.5-mile (2.4 km) at the police academy, the training Chief Juanita Holmes told the New York Post. The move has since sparked debate among department officials with many weighing in about the so-called controversial move. According to Holmes, the move will make it easier for female applicants to become a part of the NYPD. Notably, this also comes months after the department dramatically relaxed its police fitness test after a record wave of retirements. Furthermore, the head of training has also insisted that the timed run which needs to be completed by the men and women in 14 minutes and 21 seconds is not necessary to become an officer. “No cop on patrol runs a mile and a half…No one’s chasing anyone a mile and a half. Not to mention every day in the gym you’re doing a mile and a half (as part of training)”, said Holmes to the Post. She added that this requirement holds back otherwise qualified candidates, particularly women. However, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and now-retired Chief Kenneth Corey were against the move and took the matter up with the city’s Mayor Eric Adams, who reportedly agreed with Holmes. Therefore, now the only physical fitness criterion to become a part of the NYPD is the Job Standard Test (JST) which is a multi-step course which needs to be completed in four minutes and 28 seconds. Notably, the NYPD has not responded to specific questions about the requirement in question as well as the move to scrap it and said that the JST meets the training standards required by the state. “To date, the NYPD is in compliance with the physical fitness standards set by the (state’s Municipal Police Training Council). The requirements to complete the daily physical training and tactics of our Police Academy, including running nearly every day, remains unchanged,” reported the Post. This has also led many to question the fitness of the levels of the cops in the NYPD. “Cops are already out of shape. What’s going to be coming in here now?” said one police officer from Manhattan. While Eugene O’Donnell, professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former NYPD cop, speaking to the Post blamed the move on the “defund the police” movement. He added, “They’re the ones that did this, and they’re the ones who are going to have to live with the consequences of a department where the utterly unfit are all that’s left in the pool.” O’Donnell also told the Post how this decision is not driven by research but “sheer desperation” and how there is nothing but “disadvantages to public safety from this decision.” Similarly, City Councilman Robert Holden said that he was worried about New York making it too easy to become a police officer and suggested giving more time to recruits to finish the run rather than just scrapping it entirely. “I think there’s more women that are fit than men! I’ve seen cops that are not fit and they can’t run more than one block - they are at a distinct disadvantage if they’re not fit,” said Holden, as per The Post. This also comes after a six-foot wall inside the Police Academy gym was replaced with a chain-link fence which is said to be easier to climb, as per the report which cited a cellphone video showing multiple out-of-shape cops trying and failing to scale the barrier. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New York police scraps fitness requirement for new recruits. Here’s why: Report

India's first transgender pilot, the 23-year-old Adam Harry, has been declared unfit for flying an aircraft by the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), though he has a commercial pilot license and is eligible to fly in the United States and South Africa.

While speaking to ANI, Harry said, "I am the first transman person to obtain a private pilot licence and I am planning to pursue commercial pilot training in India for which the government has planned to support me financially. I am very happy about that. I did my private pilot training in Johannesburg in South Africa and it was a one-year course."

"But, soon after I returned to India after completing the course, my parents got to know about my gender identity and they put me under house arrest when I was 19. For around one year I was under 
house arrest," he added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/udaipur-terror-attack-how-my-hometown-turned-into-a-curfew-zone-494414">Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone &nbsp;</a>

Harry travelled to South Africa's Johannesburg in 2016 to pursue training at Skylark Aviation Academy to become a pilot. However, when he opened up about his gender identity on Instagram, his parents stopped supporting him financially. He tried to complete his studies in Johannesburg while also engaging in part-time work, but he was forced to return home due to a lack of support.

In Ernakulam, he took up various jobs – from food delivery to working in restaurants – to support himself. It was here he met a journalist, who covered his story and put him in touch with the Social Justice Department. While he reached out to them to start a juice shop, the Kerala government offered him a scholarship to pursue his pilot training with the Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy under the transgender persons' welfare fund in 2019.

Harry has decided to take the DGCA to court as the institute is planning to return the government scholarship – as he is not undertaking flying lessons but only on-ground classes. He wants the DGCA to stop comparing the bodies of cisgender people to that of trans persons. Instead, look at a person's qualifications.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

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India's first transgender pilot, the 23-year-old Adam Harry, has been declared unfit for flying an aircraft by the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), though he has a commercial pilot license and is eligible to fly in the United States and South Africa.

India's first transgender pilot, the 23-year-old Adam Harry, has been declared unfit for flying an aircraft by the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), though he has a commercial pilot license and is eligible to fly in the United States and South Africa. While speaking to ANI, Harry said, "I am the first transman person to obtain a private pilot licence and I am planning to pursue commercial pilot training in India for which the government has planned to support me financially. I am very happy about that. I did my private pilot training in Johannesburg in South Africa and it was a one-year course." "But, soon after I returned to India after completing the course, my parents got to know about my gender identity and they put me under house arrest when I was 19. For around one year I was under house arrest," he added. Also Read: Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone Harry travelled to South Africa's Johannesburg in 2016 to pursue training at Skylark Aviation Academy to become a pilot. However, when he opened up about his gender identity on Instagram, his parents stopped supporting him financially. He tried to complete his studies in Johannesburg while also engaging in part-time work, but he was forced to return home due to a lack of support. In Ernakulam, he took up various jobs – from food delivery to working in restaurants – to support himself. It was here he met a journalist, who covered his story and put him in touch with the Social Justice Department. While he reached out to them to start a juice shop, the Kerala government offered him a scholarship to pursue his pilot training with the Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy under the transgender persons' welfare fund in 2019. Harry has decided to take the DGCA to court as the institute is planning to return the government scholarship – as he is not undertaking flying lessons but only on-ground classes. He wants the DGCA to stop comparing the bodies of cisgender people to that of trans persons. Instead, look at a person's qualifications. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Why has DGCA declared India's first trans-pilot unfit to fly? Later forced to work as food delivery agent

Smartphones have made major leaps in studying and understanding human behaviour to make our lives easier. Contemporary smartphone technology not only curates a seamless software experience whereby one could play heavy games, but your smartphone also measures your health. But recently, the efficacy of those apps have been brought into question.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
However, the ability to track one's health is simply not enough. To add to the woes of India, a study found that the general population isn't exercising enough. For instance, an average Indian walks around 6500 steps every day which rounds about to less than five kilometres.

The same study also claims that India is the world's second most sleep-deprived country after Japan. Additionally, India is also the most stressed country.

This unhealthy combo of sleep deprivation and minimal physical activity has far-reaching consequences. The supplementary numbers simply paint a grim picture. An 'average Indian' receives 7.1 hours of sleep and takes 6,533 steps daily.

Contributing factors

A sedentary lifestyle can be attributed to multiple causes. Majority of the women in India are financially and socially constrained, i.e., unable to invest in taking care of their physical and mental state. In the juggle between domestic and professional responsibilities, sleep is compromised.&nbsp;

Another key factor which is valid across the spectrum of gender is shift work. A nine-hour job that requires one to work with technology may contribute to the deterioration of physical health.

Naturally, with gadgets dictating our every mode of organisation, addiction to them is inevitable. This superglued relationship between people and their gargets keeps Indians from getting adequate sleep.&nbsp;

Another contributing factor is stress. Stress can originate from a variety of sources relating to work as well as home. The study claims that 89 per cent of Indians suffer from stress.&nbsp;

And within the category of millennials who are stressed, Indians also take the top spot. They comprise the lot that stays up for most of the night.

Owing to this dependence on technology and a cavalier attitude towards physical well-being moulds our mentality to avoid it altogether. This mental construction makes several Indians believe that it is acceptable to cheat on some hours of sleep or not to exercise.&nbsp;

One of the key signifiers, as well as a consequence, is the economic standing of an individual. Without being financially stable, one cannot afford to invest in physical fitness. Experts say that poor people are less physically active. Numbers matter here, for 21.9 per cent of Indians still live below the national poverty line, with a daily wage of less than half a Dollar.

To top it all of, sleep deprivation and lack of physical activity can cause long-term damage to the body. Without adequate sleep, the immune system's efficiency is compromised.&nbsp;

Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases.

In the long-term, sleep deprivation clubbed with inactivity could lead to forms of dementia and cancer. Also, this fluctuates the bodyweight too often.

To overcome and limit the ill-effects of such a lifestyle, getting eight to nine hours of sleep is necessary. This should be accompanied by walking 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of exercise.

Developing awareness

To dodge these scary figures, people need to develop an awareness of how they're harming their bodies. Indians need to be told why sleeping and working out are non-negotiable.

Many movements to increase awareness like Fit India have spurred recently.&nbsp;

Launched in August this year, the initiative is expected to steer India towards a healthier future.

External factors also play a role in one's well being, especially for women. Better and safer infrastructure will encourage more women to step out of their houses.

The tipping point is that India remains among the world's most over-worked countries.

Beat this - an average urban Indian clocks in 53-54 hours at work every week.

Smartphones have made major leaps in studying and understanding human behaviour to make our lives easier. Contemporary smartphone technology not only curates a seamless software experience whereby one could play heavy games, but your smartphone also measures your health.

Smartphones have made major leaps in studying and understanding human behaviour to make our lives easier. Contemporary smartphone technology not only curates a seamless software experience whereby one could play heavy games, but your smartphone also measures your health. But recently, the efficacy of those apps have been brought into question. However, the ability to track one's health is simply not enough. To add to the woes of India, a study found that the general population isn't exercising enough. For instance, an average Indian walks around 6500 steps every day which rounds about to less than five kilometres. The same study also claims that India is the world's second most sleep-deprived country after Japan. Additionally, India is also the most stressed country. This unhealthy combo of sleep deprivation and minimal physical activity has far-reaching consequences. The supplementary numbers simply paint a grim picture. An 'average Indian' receives 7.1 hours of sleep and takes 6,533 steps daily. Contributing factors A sedentary lifestyle can be attributed to multiple causes. Majority of the women in India are financially and socially constrained, i.e., unable to invest in taking care of their physical and mental state. In the juggle between domestic and professional responsibilities, sleep is compromised. Another key factor which is valid across the spectrum of gender is shift work. A nine-hour job that requires one to work with technology may contribute to the deterioration of physical health. Naturally, with gadgets dictating our every mode of organisation, addiction to them is inevitable. This superglued relationship between people and their gargets keeps Indians from getting adequate sleep. Another contributing factor is stress. Stress can originate from a variety of sources relating to work as well as home. The study claims that 89 per cent of Indians suffer from stress. And within the category of millennials who are stressed, Indians also take the top spot. They comprise the lot that stays up for most of the night. Owing to this dependence on technology and a cavalier attitude towards physical well-being moulds our mentality to avoid it altogether. This mental construction makes several Indians believe that it is acceptable to cheat on some hours of sleep or not to exercise. One of the key signifiers, as well as a consequence, is the economic standing of an individual. Without being financially stable, one cannot afford to invest in physical fitness. Experts say that poor people are less physically active. Numbers matter here, for 21.9 per cent of Indians still live below the national poverty line, with a daily wage of less than half a Dollar. To top it all of, sleep deprivation and lack of physical activity can cause long-term damage to the body. Without adequate sleep, the immune system's efficiency is compromised. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. In the long-term, sleep deprivation clubbed with inactivity could lead to forms of dementia and cancer. Also, this fluctuates the bodyweight too often. To overcome and limit the ill-effects of such a lifestyle, getting eight to nine hours of sleep is necessary. This should be accompanied by walking 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of exercise. Developing awareness To dodge these scary figures, people need to develop an awareness of how they're harming their bodies. Indians need to be told why sleeping and working out are non-negotiable. Many movements to increase awareness like Fit India have spurred recently. Launched in August this year, the initiative is expected to steer India towards a healthier future. External factors also play a role in one's well being, especially for women. Better and safer infrastructure will encourage more women to step out of their houses. The tipping point is that India remains among the world's most over-worked countries. Beat this - an average urban Indian clocks in 53-54 hours at work every week.

Indians low on activity, second-most sleep-deprived in world: Study

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is not fit to be the next US commander-in-chief, according to outgoing president Barack Obama. 
 
The criticism comes a day after billionaire Trump said Russia&nbsp;President Vladimir Putin is a better leader than Obama. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t think the guy&#39;s (Trump) qualified to be president of the United States, and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed,&quot; said Obama, who is currently in Laos to attend a summit with Southeast Asian leaders. 
 
Obama also blasted Trump for being uninformed and having &#39;&#39;whacky ideas&#39;&#39;. 
 
Trump had previously said that if he came to power, he would ask the military brass to forge a plan within 30 days to destroy Islamic State in the Middle East. 
 
Trump&#39;s promise was assailed by&nbsp;a&nbsp;retired army general.&nbsp;&quot;I had to ask myself, what the hell does he think we&#39;ve been trying to do for the last 14 years in terms of al Qaeda?&quot;&nbsp;Retired Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling had&nbsp;told CNN.&nbsp; 
 
Trump is contending with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to become the next president of the United States. The election is on November 8.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

The outgoing president also assailed the Republican presidential candidate for having 'whacky ideas'

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is not fit to be the next US commander-in-chief, according to outgoing president Barack Obama. The criticism comes a day after billionaire Trump said Russia President Vladimir Putin is a better leader than Obama. "I don't think the guy's (Trump) qualified to be president of the United States, and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed," said Obama, who is currently in Laos to attend a summit with Southeast Asian leaders. Obama also blasted Trump for being uninformed and having ''whacky ideas''. Trump had previously said that if he came to power, he would ask the military brass to forge a plan within 30 days to destroy Islamic State in the Middle East. Trump's promise was assailed by a retired army general. "I had to ask myself, what the hell does he think we've been trying to do for the last 14 years in terms of al Qaeda?" Retired Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling had told CNN. Trump is contending with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to become the next president of the United States. The election is on November 8. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Donald Trump unfit to be next US president: Obama

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