6 days ago
Kuwait has issued Amiri Decree Law No. 159 of 2025 on combating drugs and psychotropic substances, marking a comprehensive legislative overhaul aimed at strengthening prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation frameworks. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the new law reflects Kuwait’s move toward a more rigorous and far-reaching approach to tackling narcotics and regulating their use and trafficking. The law will come into effect on December 15, comprising 84 articles across 13 chapters and covering punitive, preventative and therapeutic measures. It also governs medical use and strengthens oversight of the distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances. Kuwait drugs laws In a televised interview, Brigadier General Mohammad Qabazard, Head of the General Directorate for Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior, said the law constitutes a comprehensive legislative framework that aims to improve community security and increase the effectiveness of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes. He noted that the tightening of regulations comes amid the global expansion of trafficking networks and the emergence of new types of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Qabazard added that the new legislation includes deterrent penalties, reaching the death penalty in some articles, forming part of Kuwait’s stronger stance against drug trafficking crimes and efforts to protect society from their growing dangers. […]
6 days ago
“Was I misled?” That’s the question I hear most from my patients lately—asked with anger, exhaustion, and the quiet devastation of women who wonder if they lost years of their lives to menopause symptoms they were told were untreatable. The answer came earlier this month when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would remove “black box” warnings from hormone therapy products after 23 years. For many women, the reversal is an admission that arrives decades too late. What Happened in 2002 In July 2002, preliminary data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) were published in JAMA, showing that combined hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin) increased the risk of breast cancer, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Major media outlets interpreted early signals from the study as definitive danger, and the announcement led to an instant and dramatic decline in the use of hormone therapy. Women who had been sleeping well for the first time in years suddenly poured their medications into the trash. Pharmacies fielded calls from panicked patients demanding immediate discontinuation. Primary care doctors, most of whom had never been trained deeply in menopause management, told their patients to “stop now and ask questions later.” Women did stop, and […]
1 week ago
The Food and Drug Administration’s top overseer of vaccine policy on Friday told employees that at least 10 American children died “after and because of receiving” a Covid-19 vaccine. In a 3,000-word memorandum first reported by PBS, Dr. Vinay Prasad, director of the FDA’s vaccine division, also committed to implementing changes to the FDA’s evaluation of vaccine efficacy and safety, and encouraged dissenting employees to find a new job. “This is a profound revelation,” Prasad wrote. “For the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.” Prasad said the conclusion about children dying from Covid-19 vaccines was reached after he and other FDA staffers undertook a multi-month, “detailed analysis of deaths voluntarily reported to the [Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System] system (VAERS).” That effort focused on 96 deaths that occurred between 2021 and 2024, and said “no fewer” than 10 of them were caused by the vaccines. “If anything, this represents conservative coding, where vaccines are exculpated rather than indicted in cases of ambiguity. The real number is higher.” He added, “It is horrifying to consider that the US vaccine regulation, including our actions, may have harmed more children than we saved. This requires humility and introspection.” Prasad slammed the coercive nature of policies that insisted […]
1 week ago
A new study shows tattoo ink drains into the lymphatic system and accumulates in lymph nodes, diminishing the effects of immune cells. This accumulation of ink pigment triggers both local and systemic inflammation that persists for months. A third of American adults, roughly 32% – or about 80 million people – have tattoos, and they should read this new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). “Despite safety concerns regarding the toxicity of tattoo ink, no studies have reported the consequences of tattooing on the immune response. In this work, we have characterized the transport and accumulation of different tattoo inks in the lymphatic system using a murine model,” researcher Arianna Capucetti wrote in the study. Capucetti continued: Upon quick lymphatic drainage, we observed that macrophages mainly capture the ink in the lymph node (LN). An initial inflammatory reaction at local and systemic levels follows ink capture. Notably, the inflammatory process is maintained over time, as we observed clear signs of inflammation in the draining LN 2 mo following tattooing. In addition, the capture of ink by macrophages was associated with the induction of apoptosis in both human and […]
1 week ago
Since the start of 2025, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has ordered the closure of 37 restaurants and food establishments across Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. The shutdowns follow repeated violations of food safety regulations that pose risks to public health. ADAFSA inspectors stepped up monitoring across the emirate, enforcing Law No. (2) of 2008 on Food in Abu Dhabi. The closures cover a range of businesses, including restaurants, cafés, bakeries, grocery stores, supermarkets, and even a poultry farm. Key reasons for closure included repeated offenses, poor hygiene, improper food handling, storage, and preparation, pest infestations, and a reported case of food poisoning. All establishments remain closed until full compliance with food safety standards is achieved. ADAFSA stressed that inspections and disclosure of violations are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s food safety system and protect residents. The Authority carries out regular campaigns and field visits to restaurants, warehouses, distribution centers, and supermarkets, focusing on safe food handling, storage, cleanliness, and awareness among staff. The aim is to ensure wholesome food for the community while reducing food waste. ADAFSA urges the public to report violations or suspected food contamination via […]
2 weeks ago
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. As the single most common neurodegenerative disease, it affects more than 6 million Americans—most of them age 65 or older. The disease is irreversible and fatal. It often begins subtly—years before it’s diagnosed—showing up as everyday lapses that are easy to brush off. What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s symptoms develop differently depending on when the disease begins. There are generally two types: early-onset Alzheimer’s, which develops before age 65, and late-onset Alzheimer’s, which occurs afterward. Early-onset Alzheimer’s accounts for about 5 percent to 6 percent of cases, often has a stronger genetic link, progresses more quickly, and may start with problems in thinking, language, or vision rather than memory alone, making it harder to diagnose initially. Late-onset Alzheimer’s, which starts after age 65, typically begins with gradual memory loss and progresses slowly through predictable stages. The following five stages describe the progression of late-onset Alzheimer’s, the most common form of the disease. 1. Asymptomatic Stage Biological changes characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease are present long before cognitive or behavioral symptoms appear. This stage may last […]
2 weeks ago
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef announced that the new policy related to imposing selective tax on sweetened drinks will come into force starting January 1, 2026. Speaking to Al-Arabiya channel, he said that this issue, which was one of the major concerns raised by industrialists in the past, has now been resolved. Alkhorayef clarified that addressing the sugar tax issue on beverages was a positive experience in negotiations between various entities, including the Ministry of Finance, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Ministry of Health. He emphasized that the goal was to establish a policy that achieves a balance between preserving public health and reducing sugar consumption, while also allowing the industry to innovate and develop products. The tax policy changes came after reaching a comprehensive agreement among the concerned parties, Alkhorayef said while noting that the issue was more complex due to its connection with coordination at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) level. The minister stated that the industrial sector in Saudi Arabia, like the rest of the world, faces ongoing challenges due to numerous changes and crises. “I was once an industrialist myself, and I know that the sector’s problems are endless, but […]
2 weeks ago
We’ve all experienced intuition in some form or another. The hunch of knowing without understanding why; the sense that something is right—or terribly wrong—before conscious thought catches up. Or a simple instinct that something is off about a stranger. Intuition goes beyond superstition, serving as a sophisticated form of intelligence operating largely beneath conscious awareness. The phenomenon raises a question that has intrigued scientists, philosophers, and everyday decision makers: Where do gut feelings really come from? Knowing Without Knowing How Studies have found that when chess grandmasters are given just five seconds to evaluate a position, they can make accurate predictions despite lacking time for conscious analysis. Due to the thousands of hours of experience under their belts, their brains can make rapid decisions through pattern recognition, without requiring deliberate thought. This experience, similarly reflected among experts across many fields—doctors, military personnel, and firefighters—points to the possibility that intuition may emerge from a rich substrate of prior experience. Emma Seppälä, psychologist and science director at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, told The Epoch Times that in these instances, intuition is “a fast, instinctive form of intelligence that operates separately from our conscious thoughts.” Yet, this […]
2 weeks ago
With more than 800,000 diabetes patients, Kuwait now has the highest number of individuals living with the disease in the Gulf region, prompting renewed calls for early testing and preventive care, local media reported. The Kuwait Diabetes Society led nationwide awareness activities aimed at addressing one of the country’s most pressing health challenges. Dr. Waleed Al Dhahi, endocrinologist and President of the Society, said the organization has played a central role in public education since its founding in 1996, providing community outreach, medical training, and awareness campaigns for nearly three decades. This year’s World Diabetes Day activities drew strong youth participation and collaboration with several institutions and companies, with on-site blood sugar screenings and advisory services offered to the public. Al Dhahi emphasized that diabetes has become one of the most widespread chronic illnesses in Kuwait, carrying serious long-term complications including diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. “Diabetes may appear without symptoms, but its effects accumulate silently,” he said. “It should never be taken lightly.” He urged residents to undergo regular screening and adhere to international medical guidelines once diagnosed, including maintaining an HbA1c level below 7 percent, controlling blood pressure, and completing annual foot and retina exams, steps that […]
2 weeks ago
It’s go-time. Runners from across the Emirates gathered this morning for the annual Dubai Run, which began on Sheikh Zayed Road at 6.30am. The annual run is a flagship event of Dubai Fitness Challenge and turns Sheikh Zayed Road into the world’s largest running track. Before the run began, the event kicked off with a show of pyrotechnics. Fireworks over Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai Police, meanwhile, reiterated that Sheikh Zayed Road will be closed for the duration of the run and that people should look for alternative routes if they need to travel during this period.