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Indian parliamentary delegation praises Kuwait’s peace efforts

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KUWAIT: MP Baijayant Panda, head of a visiting Indian parliamentary delegation, praised Kuwait’s diplomatic role and steadfast efforts in promoting peace and resolving conflicts, describing the country as “a model to be emulated for making the world a better place”. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Panda highlighted Kuwait’s credibility and influential presence on the international stage, particularly in advancing regional and global peace. He emphasized that the collaboration between India and Kuwait is built on shared values and a long history of friendship.

He commended Kuwait for its leadership at the Dushanbe Counter-Terrorism Conference and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and defense. Discussions between the Indian parliamentary delegation and Kuwaiti officials also focused on new joint initiatives to combat terrorism, with India expressing appreciation for Kuwait’s swift condemnation of the recent attacks in Kashmir.

Panda noted the shared experiences of India and Kuwait as victims of terrorism and reiterated India’s dedication to enhancing counterterrorism cooperation, building on agreements made during the Dushanbe conference, which Kuwait chaired. “We discussed with our Kuwaiti counterparts new initiatives to enhance security and counterterrorism cooperation. We found a strong and sincere interest on the Kuwaiti side. This was also reflected in the joint committee meetings chaired by the foreign ministersvof both countries last year,” he said.

Clarifying India’s position toward Pakistan, Panda stated: “We have no hostility toward the Pakistani people. But we are ready to build constructive relations only if Pakistan adopts a strategy based on peace and mutual respect.” He explained that India has shifted its approach in recent years, favoring direct responses to terrorist threats over prolonged diplomacy. The new strategy includes economic sanctions related to trade, maritime activity, water access and visas — measures intended to deter state-sponsored terrorism.

He stressed that there is no tolerance for terrorism, regardless of the country or context, adding that while global challenges remain, the critical difference lies in the intent and use of terrorism as a policy tool. On the Palestinian issue, Panda reiterated India’s unwavering support for a two-state solution as the cornerstone of a peaceful resolution, noting that India continues to allocate budgetary aid for economic assistance in Gaza and the West Bank.

Beyond security matters, the delegation emphasized the deep-rooted relationship between India and Kuwait, founded on centuries of trade, cultural exchange, and shared history. A symbolic visit to the National Library of Kuwait — currently showcasing 250 years of documented Indo-Kuwaiti relations — was described as a highlight of the visit.

The delegation, which arrived in Kuwait two days ago and concluded its visit on Tuesday, includes members from a broad spectrum of Indian political parties, both government and opposition, representing all regions and languages of India. Panda noted that this diversity reflects India’s robust democratic ethos. Kuwait is the second stop in the delegation’s four-nation diplomatic tour, part of India’s broader initiative to deepen engagement with key global partners and enhance international cooperation on security and counterterrorism.

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Potatoes can be healthy, but cooking holds the key: Kuwaiti researcher

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KUWAIT: A landmark scientific study by researchers from Harvard University, Cambridge University, and other leading institutions worldwide—featuring Kuwaiti researcher Dr Hala Al-Eissa with support from the Kuwait Heart Association—has revealed that the way potatoes are cooked, rather than the potatoes themselves, is the key factor influencing their link to type 2 diabetes.

Earlier research hinted at a possible association between potato consumption and diabetes risk but often lacked details on cooking methods or the impact of replacing potatoes with other foods. This new study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), analyzed decades of dietary data, distinguishing between preparation styles and substitution choices.

The findings show that eating French fries three times a week is linked to a 20 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared to consuming them less than once a week. In contrast, boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes showed no significant risk increase. Researchers explained that the difference lies in preparation: baking, boiling, or cooking with the skin on are healthier methods, preserving nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. French fries, however, are typically cooked at high temperatures in unhealthy oils and salted heavily, creating harmful compounds.

Notably, replacing three weekly servings of French fries with whole grains—such as whole wheat, oats, brown rice, or quinoa—cut the risk of diabetes by up to 19 percent. Substituting all potatoes, including non-fried varieties, with whole grains reduced the risk by 4 percent. “Our results confirm that potatoes can be part of a healthy diet if prepared properly,” said Dr Al-Eissa, Assistant Professor at Kuwait University’s School of Public Health and researcher at Harvard’s Department of Nutrition. “French fries, however, remain a choice that should be limited as much as possible.”

Professor Walter Willett, who supervised the study, stressed that dietary guidelines should move beyond broad food categories. “Not all carbohydrates—and not even all potatoes—are equal,” he said. “Preparation and substitution matter greatly when shaping public health policies.”

The research analyzed data from more than 205,000 participants over nearly 40 years, making it one of the most comprehensive investigations into potatoes and diabetes risk. It was funded by respected bodies including the US National Institutes of Health, the British Medical Council, and, for the first time, the Kuwait Heart Association. Researchers believe that the Kuwait Heart Association’s partnership with global institutions like Harvard will pave the way for further collaborations, advancing nutrition-focused research and tackling chronic diseases in Kuwait.

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Toxic brew kills 13 in Kuwait

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Alcohol poisoning also leaves dozens hospitalized with kidney failure, vision loss

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed that 63 people have been hospitalized since Saturday due to alcohol poisoning caused by the consumption of methanol-contaminated drinks. Thirteen victims, all of Asian nationalities, have died. In a statement, the ministry said several patients remain in intensive care units, with medical teams performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on 31 cases.

Emergency dialysis was administered to 51 patients, while 21 individuals suffered permanent or temporary vision loss as a result of the poisoning. Authorities said coordination is underway between hospitals and security agencies to contain the situation, ensure proper medical response, and investigate the source of the contaminated drinks. All necessary medical and emergency measures are being implemented.

Methanol dangers

Methanol — a toxic alcohol used in industrial products such as antifreeze, solvents, and fuel — can cause severe poisoning if ingested, even in small quantities. Unlike ethanol, which is found in alcoholic beverages, methanol is not safe for human consumption. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or death.

Health authorities have previously warned that illicitly produced alcoholic beverages may contain dangerous levels of methanol due to unsafe distillation processes. Past incidents in various countries have resulted in multiple fatalities and cases of permanent blindness. Kuwait strictly prohibits the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and security forces have intensified efforts in recent years to curb smuggling and dismantle illegal brewing operations. — Agencies

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Al-Nuwaisib Customs foils smuggling of 620 cartons of cigarettes hidden in vehicle tires.

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KUWAIT: As part of the ongoing efforts by the General Administration of Customs to combat smuggling, customs inspectors at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing foiled an attempt to smuggle cigarettes out of the country.

When a vehicle arrived at the inspection area, the inspector did a routine check and didn’t find anything illegal inside except for 20 packs of cigarettes that were visible.

After inspecting the vehicle and passing it through an X-ray machine, abnormal densities were found in the four tires, and a manual inspection revealed 620 packs of cigarettes professionally hidden inside the tires.

 A report was filed on the incident, and the seized items and suspects were referred to the competent authorities to complete the remaining legal procedures against them.

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