Latest news with #Salt
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Jordan: Crown Prince inaugurates Jordan Digital Health Centre in Salt
AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II on Tuesday inaugurated the Jordan Digital Health Centre in Salt, which was established as part of the National Council for Future Technology's efforts to raise the level of medical services provided to citizens. The Crown Prince toured the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development-funded centre, which includes digital units for dialysis, radiology, intensive care and telemedicine services, and seeks to save time and effort for patients, and improve access to specialised care for rare medical specialities, according to a Royal Court statement. His Royal Highness listened to a briefing by Health Minister Firas Al Hawari about the remote medical services provided by the centre, whereby patients can communicate through voice or video calls with doctors following diagnosis to receive medical consultations. The minister said the centre has been connected to five major public hospitals and three healthcare centres as part of the first phase, adding that the second phase will expand to connect other public hospitals and healthcare centres. According to Hawari, the centre is responsible for monitoring the capacity of public hospitals and pharmaceutical warehouses to ensure optimal distribution of patients to hospitals to alleviate overcrowding and reduce waste of medical supplies and medicines, the statement said. The Crown Prince attended a meeting held at the centre for the National Council for Future Technology's digital committee on the health sector, during which His Royal Highness was briefed on the council's future plans and strategies to raise the level of health services. The Crown Prince also visited Salt Comprehensive Healthcare Centre, which was recently rehabilitated, to check on the services provided, including the introduction and standardisation of electronic payment services.
Mint
a day ago
- Health
- Mint
Two-thirds of Indian adolescents swayed by food ads; higher taxes on sugary, fatty foods may help curb rising obesity
New Delhi: An overwhelming 67.57% of adolescents in India are influenced by ads when making their food choices, a large nationwide survey has found, amid a focus on child obesity as a major lifestyle-related health concern. The survey of 143,000 adolescent respondents was conducted in 2022 as part of the Let's Fix Our Food initiative, a public-private partnership between the Public Health Foundation of India, the Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Nutrition, and UNICEF. The findings are currently undergoing peer review for publication in a scientific journal. Unhealthy food advertising, often using celebrity endorsements and games, heavily influences young people's food choices, contributing to rising obesity and related diseases. The policy brief stated that in India, 90% of ads for children and youth on TV are for High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) foods. Studies show such ads increase consumption; for example, children watching cartoon food ads ate 45% more. It said that current Indian advertising rules, especially the 2022 guidelines, are weak, lacking clear definitions for "junk foods" or child-targeted ads. India must strengthen these rules with clear definitions and wider scope to protect everyone, not just children. Countries like Chile and South Korea prove strong, mandatory ad restrictions work. With projections from the World Obesity Atlas 2022 indicating that over 27 million Indian children and adolescents could be affected by obesity by 2030, the survey highlighted that unhealthy eating habits and insufficient physical activity are key drivers of overweight and obesity among young people. The survey found that nearly half (49.46%) of respondents receive most of their nutrition information from schools. However, economic barriers play a significant role, with 30.7% of adolescents citing high prices as an obstacle to healthy foods. While a large majority (72.58%) of adolescents said they do read nutrition information on food products, over half (62.81%) said this information should be simplified. Additionally, around 43.88% of adolescents believe that providing more information about unhealthy food items could deter them from consumption. The outcomes of the LFOF initiative, including a detailed policy brief, were recently discussed at a high-level stakeholder consultation in the presence of Dr V.K. Paul, member, NITI Aayog, and D Rajiv Bahl, director general, ICMR. To combat this growing crisis, the initiative urges the government to tighten regulations on advertisements for unhealthy food products targeting children. Other crucial recommendations include introducing health taxes on high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods and ensuring clear, simplified nutrition information on food packaging. 'Develop guidelines for clear front-of-pack nutrition information on packaged foods and regulate HFSS food consumption. Introduce health taxes on HFSS foods. Enforce the ban on HFSS foods in and around educational institutions, as per FSSAI guidelines. Implement programs to make healthy foods more affordable and accessible and Avoid partnerships with corporations promoting HFSS foods among adolescents," the policy brief said. Prof. Monika Arora, Vice President, Research and Health Promotion, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), stated, 'The recommendations such as the introduction of health taxes on HFSS foods and clearer front-of-pack nutrition labelling are presently under discussion. They have been shared with relevant stakeholders. These discussions are part of a growing national and global movement towards creating healthier food environments for children and adolescents." Addressing HFSS Food Marketing On the taxation front, the document said that health taxes are crucial in India to combat obesity and related diseases driven by unhealthy foods like sugary drinks. It said that the WHO endorses taxation as a cost-effective solution, already adopted by over 70 countries. A modelling study on fiscal policies in India found that a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) could reduce overweight and obesity by 3% and type 2 diabetes by 1.6% with the largest relative effect expected among young rural men. 'Extending similar strategies to unhealthy foods especially those aggressively marketed to children could play a critical role in safeguarding public health," Prof Arora said. Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO Chief Scientist and ICMR Director General, welcomed the crucial findings of the survey, reiterating that the rising trends of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India are directly linked to the significant impact of advertising on adolescents' food choices. This, coupled with poor diet and lack of physical activity, predisposes them to NCDs, making immediate action essential to reverse the trend. She emphasized the need for strict advertising regulations to prevent unsubstantiated claims, especially for products targeting children with appealing characters or gifts, which are often high in fat and sugar. She also called for effective front-of-pack labeling, suggesting a clear A, B (healthy) and C, D (unhealthy) system based on fat, sugar, and salt content, rather than the proposed star labeling by FSSAI. Furthermore, she advocated for health taxes on tobacco, sweets, and high-fat/sugar foods, similar to those in countries like Thailand. While acknowledging that such taxes in India currently contribute to the general treasury, she stressed that ideally, these funds should directly benefit public health schemes and educational campaigns to deter unhealthy consumption. Echoing these concerns, Dr. Suranjeet Chatterjee, Senior Consultant at the Internal Medicine Department, Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha in Delhi, emphasized the critical need for strict regulation of advertisements in India. He highlighted that endorsements by film stars and other prominent figures significantly impact not only children but also adults. Dr Chatterjee stressed that food labeling must clearly indicate the amounts of fat, sugar, salt, and calories. He noted a concerning shift in food consumption patterns, leading to a rise in heart disease, blood pressure, and diabetes at much younger ages. "Earlier, very rarely would patients in the age group of 30-35 years come with problems of heart disease, but now, the percentage has increased in the age group of 25-35 years," he stated, underlining the urgency of addressing these lifestyle-related health issues. 'The findings of the report indicate that 68% of adolescents are influenced by food advertisements, and nearly 31% reported that high food prices prevent them from eating healthy. These insights highlight the urgent need to improve affordability and accessibility of nutritious foods for young people. Addressing childhood obesity must remain a national priority, with stronger policies on food environment, nutrition education, physical activity, and front of pack nutrition labeling and its skill-based literacy, supported by community engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration, said Preetu Mishra, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF. The findings reinforce the need for system-level policy interventions to reshape the food environment. Among the key recommendations is the introduction of health taxes on HFSS foods (Food high in fat, salt and sugar), which is supported by global and regional evidence showing their impact on reducing consumption of unhealthy foods and incentivizing better industry practices. WHO recommends taxation as one of the most cost-effective tools. An increasing number of countries have taken steps to implement fiscal policies that promote healthy diets, with 115 countries taxing sugar-sweetened beverages nationally as of February 2024. An additional 41 countries have applied national taxation on a variety of unhealthy food categories, Mishra added.
The National
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Top ice cream in the UAE: The scoop on the best sweet treat to beat the heat
Is there a dessert more synonymous with summer than ice cream? We think not. As temperatures soar here in the UAE, and on the occasion of International Ice Cream Day (which is July 20 annually), we have rounded up The National newsroom's favourite scoops. Salted saffron with luqaimat at Mina Creamery Mina Creamery specialises in a constantly revolving menu of seasonal and local flavours including halwa, gahwa, aseeda falooda and karak chai. The business came to life as part of an incubator within MiZa, Abu Dhabi, before becoming an online store. But it will soon return to MiZa with a brick-and-mortar shop opening at the end of August. The best flavour? It might be the salted saffron with luqaimat. While we wait for the MiZa shop to open, you can order online on a Wednesday for Thursday pickup or delivery, 500ml pots cost Dh50. Laura Koot, managing editor Mango softie at Salt The only thing that makes the long summers bearable for me is the promise of sweet and juicy mangoes, especially the ones that come from India and Pakistan, and all of the desserts that are made with mango during this season. One of my favourites is the mango softie from Salt (Dh35) – a light and refreshing no-frills dessert – which essentially feels like slurping on frozen mango pulp. It's served at various Salt locations in the UAE (including Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah's Marjan Island and Kite Beach in Dubai). I love that it is not too sweet and tastes just like eating an iced mango. Served swirled up in a cup and topped with fresh mango pieces, this dessert may be simple, but it really hits the spot. Aarti Jhurani, features sub-editor Terry's Orange at Scoopi Cafe Scoopi Cafe is known for making very fresh ice cream using liquid nitrogen. There is a time, a good few years ago, when I documented myself trying its jet-black activated charcoal ice cream, topped with edible 23K gold leaf (all in the name of work). Left with black teeth and unsure what gold tastes like, that wasn't my favourite, despite its surprisingly fresh citric taste. However, at the Time Out Market Dubai venue, I have been known to indulge in a few scoops of the brand's made-to-order sweet treats. My order depends on my mood, but it's always in a waffle cup and at the moment the Terry's Chocolate Orange-inspired flavour (Dh45), creamy and indulgent with a summery dash of orange, is my go-to. A few years ago, Scoopi made a name for itself serving Dubai's most expensive ice cream at Dh2,999. The Black Diamond ice cream was a sundae made with vanilla bean ice cream from Madagascar, saffron from Iran, rare black truffles from Italy and edible gold. That no longer seems to be on the menu, but the charcoal and gold scoop is, at Dh100 a pop. Farah Andrews, head of features Yoghurt honeycomb and sea salt (and more) at Hapi Not to be hyperbolic about it, but this is the best ice cream anywhere in the world, not just the UAE. You can enjoy it at Hapi's spot in Al Khazan Park in Dubai or you can order it on Deliveroo. If I'm going to a dinner party, I always bring three tubs with me – choco orange almond, mango sorbet, and yoghurt honeycomb and sea salt (Dh32 for 480ml). I love watching people react to trying it for the first time, because they all make the same face. Like they've just seen the light. The raspberry cheesecake flavour is great too. It's all great. Try them for yourself and you can thank me later. Added bonus: the artisanal ice cream is made in small batches with all-natural ingredients, and no artificial additives, preservatives or stabilisers. Nasri Atallah, editor of The National's Luxury magazine Avocado gelato at Located in Abu Dhabi's Zayed Port, scoops up the most delicious avocado gelato (from Dh21). Not only does it rhyme, but this perfectly creamy confection is the ultimate dessert for a savoury-leaning palate. I guess the consistent queue at the counter is all the evidence required to confirm the other flavours have fans, too. Laura Koot, managing editor Horlicks soft serve at Creme I discovered the soft serve at Creme after an epic dinner nearby. I was after something sweet but relatively light, and the guy behind the counter at the cult cookie spot from Soho, London didn't hesitate. 'Try the soft serve,' he said. It was smooth, creamy and deeply nostalgic. The flavour took me straight back to my teenage cereal addiction: Corn Flakes, Honey Smacks and Weetabix. When I asked what I was tasting, he just smiled and told me it's Horlicks. Horlicks, for the uninitiated, is a classic malted milk drink, somewhere between a health tonic and a comfort ritual. That's exactly what this soft serve tastes like. You can get it topped with cookie crumble, but I'd recommend having it plain to be swept up in those nostalgic flavours. Servings start at Dh32. Saeed Saeed, features writer Crema dal 1947 at La Romana dal 1947 One of the original flavours at this Italian gelato chain – and definitely my all-time favourite – the crema dal 1947 is available at La Romana outlets at The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, plus Dubai Hills Mall and Bluewaters. It includes traditional Italian custard cream enhanced by vanilla extract and natural lemon zest. However, when it comes to ice cream, I like to go over the top, so my version comes with a classic batter crepe with Nutella and berries (from Dh41). Zoya Thomas, digital platforms editor Founder's Favourite at Cold Stone Creamery I first tasted Cold Stone Creamery when it arrived in the UAE in 2007, a year after I moved here, and it's been one sweet relationship ever since. Founded in Arizona, US, by Susan and Donald Sutherland (no relation to the Hollywood actor), the brand's appeal is customisability, allowing you to mix ice-cream flavours as well as other toppings, from gummies and graham crackers to brownies and chocolate bars. Whenever I am struggling to decide which mix I want, my go-to is Founder's Favourite (from Dh24). As the name suggests, it's a favourite of the brand's founders, and comprises sweet cream ice cream, mixed with pecans, brownie, fudge and drizzled with caramel sauce. I usually add Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate chip cookie dough to mine for the ultimate treat. Available at locations across the UAE. David Tusing, assistant features editor Love Potion #31 at Baskin-Robbins Baskin-Robbins has its American headquarters in my home state of Massachusetts, but I rarely ordered it back when I was in the US. It wasn't until one day when I tried the Love Potion #31 flavour in Abu Dhabi that it became my go-to ice cream. Luckily for me, it is available year-round in the UAE versus being just a seasonal option in the US, where it is usually found around Valentine's Day. Love Potion #31 is rich and indulgent, made with white chocolate and raspberry ice creams swirled together, with a ripple of raspberry and generous chunks of chocolate-flavoured hearts filled with raspberry. It may sound like a lot – creamy, fruity and chocolatey all in one bite – but it's mostly sweet with a bit of tartness for balance. An added bonus is that the single kids' scoop cup starts at Dh11, making it great value. Available at locations across the UAE. Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor Ashta with pistachios at Bachir While adding crunchy pistachios to Bachir's wonderful Ashta (clotted cream) ice cream is optional, the nostalgic flavour of rosewater is guaranteed to hit your senses from the first bite. A Lebanese brand, which launched in 1936, Bachir brought its well-loved flavours to the UAE in 2022. I was with my Lebanese friends, who insisted I try its signature Ashta, with pistachios and a dollop of whipped cream on top. Trying it transported me to my grandma's garden in Jordan, eating ice cream with her in the summer heat. Hala Nasar, social media journalist Lazy cake at Mama Booza A rich mix of premium dark chocolate with chunks of lazy cake (sharing pots cost Dh69), this ice-cream flavour from Mama Booza elevates a childhood dessert and turns it into something even better. Every bite takes me back to my family home, when I would reach for my mom's lazy cake rolls after every meal. It's a balanced treat that isn't too sweet, but still hits the spot when I'm craving something indulgent. The chunks of lazy cake are a flavour bomb – fudgy, chocolatey and super-satisfying. The combo of creamy ice cream and chewy cake bits gives it the perfect texture. Mama Booza is available at Kitchen Park in Wasl Port Views in Dubai, or for delivery via Deliveroo.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Puppy pierced by abandoned fish hook in Sheffield
A morning walk turned into a traumatic ordeal for a local couple when their six-month-old cocker spaniel swallowed a large trace on Tiffany's Beach. Jordy and Tiaan Johnson were walking their puppy, Astro, on Monday, July 7, when he ate a sardine on a fish hook lying next to a rubbish bin. One hook lodged in the back of Astro's tongue. 'We rushed him to the vet immediately,' said Jordy. 'Luckily, they were able to sedate him and remove the hooks, but it could have ended differently.' Jordy has since started offering bags to fishermen for unused bait and tackle, after noticing some arrive without any. 'Fishermen need to take responsibility for their trash. They must take everything they bring home. The bins also need animal-safe lids,' she added. The danger extends beyond pets. 'There are many stories of dog owners who have experienced the same thing, some were not as lucky as our little guy,' said Tiaan. 'Had a vervet monkey or woolly-necked stork found that sardine, it could have been a painful death. And what if someone stepped on one of those hooks?' Ballito Veterinary Hospital has already treated five dogs with fish hook injuries this year. Dr Christy Brown said three cases were reported in June alone. 'We are not sure if this aligns with fishing seasons, but it happens often,' she said. Aloe Veterinary Clinic, also in Ballito, report an average of two cases per month. Dr Jeremy Lamb said around 20 cases were treated last year. 'Some injuries involve just the lip or mouth, but swallowed hooks are far more serious and difficult to remove,' he said. 'The dogs don't die as long as the hook and line are removed in time.' Salt Rock Veterinary Clinic has not seen any cases this year, but Dr Roxanne Buckle confirmed many prior after-hours emergencies involving fish hooks. 'Last year I treated five cases and most hooks were lodged in the mouth,' she said. 'We referred one cat to a specialist for scope removal.' Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Zawya
11-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
UN-Habitat Jordan holds meeting to review progress of green salt project
AMMAN — UN-Habitat Jordan last week held the first steering committee meeting of the "Green Salt: Public Spaces and Living Heritage for Socio-Economic Development" Project, jointly implemented with UNESCO. The meeting brough together several stakeholders, including the secretary general of the Ministry of Local Administration, mayor of the Greater Salt Municipality, and representatives from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and UNESCO. During the meeting, UN-Habitat and UNESCO teams discussed progress and the upcoming work plan, which focuses on enhancing public spaces and safeguarding Salt's living heritage as foundations for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development, according to a UN-Habitat statement. Secretary General for Technical Affairs at the Ministry of Local Administration Wajdi Dulain praised UN-Habitat's ongoing support for local governance in Jordan. He said: "We are fully committed to creating more resilient and sustainable urban environments and promoting local development through partnerships like this." Head of UN-Habitat Jordan Programme Office Deema Abu Thiab highlighted the project's vision. "This project aims to make Salt more liveable by creating environmentally friendly public spaces for residents and visitors, supporting both local and tourism development," Abu Thiab said. Mayor of Greater Salt Municipality Mohammad Hiary commended the efforts of UN-Habitat, UNESCO and AICS, expressing appreciation for their commitment to enhancing community well-being and increasing green spaces in Salt. 'We are optimistic about the project's outcomes and deeply grateful to the Italian embassy and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation for their generous support," Hiary said. UNESCO Representative to Jordan and Head of Office Noha Bawazir stressed the importance of documenting and preserving Salt's intangible cultural heritage, saying: "Intangible heritage is an integral part of the city's identity. Through this project, UNESCO is working to safeguard and promote it as a living element of community life." The Green Salt project, funded by Italy through AICS, is jointly implemented by UN-Habitat and UNESCO Jordan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Local Administration, and the Greater Salt Municipality. This project aims to enhance the socioeconomic well-being of Salt, through the revitalisation of public spaces, according to UN-Habitat. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
