KUWAIT: As part of its strategic partnership with LOYAC, and within its ongoing commitment to youth and society development, NBK sponsored the “Green Adventure” program aimed to build future leaders. The “Green Adventure” program, which is a unique initiative that combines physical and educational sustainability-related activities, took place in Portugal for seven days.

Through interactive theoretical sessions and practical field activities, the program targeted instilling values of environmental responsibility and sustainability for the youth to become future leaders and change makers. In the program, the students learned sustainable natural landscape and garden designing, in addition to applying sustainable daily agricultural practices to make a positive environmental impact.

The adventure opened many golden opportunities for the participants, such as exploring Portugal’s charming nature, diverse wildlife, and unique environmental systems. They also visited the ancient Moorish castle, and they were able to build connections with same-interest individuals and experts in the field, in addition to achieving a deeper understanding of the relationship between nature and society.

This sponsorship comes as an emphasis of NBK’s leadership in social responsibility and its commitment to investing in future generations, as it firmly believes in the effectiveness of such initiatives that contribute to shaping deeper understandings of global environmental issues, which consequently builds a generation that is strongly aware and capable of facing future sustainability-related challenges.

Additionally, NBK highlights the importance of private sector and non-profit organizations collaborations that aim to achieve sustainable development, and this sponsorship is part of a wider strategy that supports initiatives of youth education and environmental development for a better future for Kuwait and the region.

In this light, NBK will continue to promote social responsibility and support all society’s segments and non-profit organizations, particularly those institutions and programs that care for the youth and address their needs and requirements for a better future, as it strongly believes in the effective role of these programs in serving society and people. LOYAC is a non-profit organization that aims to support the youth by providing training opportunities and specialized educational and volunteer development programs.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah receives on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation. –KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah received on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them, in addition to exchanging views on issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, they reviewed the close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and the frameworks for strengthening and developing them in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments and the developments taking place in the region. — KUNA

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.