World

Pakistan, India exchange lists of prisoners, nuke assets

South Asian archrivals India and Pakistan exchanged lists of each other’s citizens held in prison Saturday through their respective diplomats in Islamabad and New Delhi.

The two sides also exchanged lists of their nuclear assets and facilities under an agreement in place for three decades, according to official statements from the two nuclear-armed rivals.

Pakistan and India have had strained relations since their independence from colonial British rule in 1947 over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Pakistan shared with India's top diplomat in Islamabad on Saturday a list of 628 Indian prisoners being held in Pakistan, including 577 fishermen accused of illegal fishing in Pakistani territorial waters, and 51 others.

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The practice is consistent with a 2008 agreement between the two sides on consular access to prisoners. The deal requires them to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody each January and July.

India simultaneously shared with Pakistan its list of its neighbor's prisoners being held in India. India handed over lists of 282 Pakistani prisoners and 73 fishermen. Details on the civilian prisoners India has in its custody weren’t available.

Last January, India handed over to Pakistan lists of 263 Pakistani prisoners and 77 fishermen in India's custody.

Similarly, Pakistan in 2021 shared lists of 270 Indian fishermen and another 49 prisoners in its custody.

The two sides arrest each other's fishermen for crossing the unmarked sea frontier between the two countries. Fishermen in search of a better catch with no modern navigational technology often enter into the other country's territorial waters. The maritime security agencies of Pakistan and India seize their boats and put them in prison. The fishermen usually get released only after the two countries hold negotiations. Normally the fishermen spend years behind bars with no formal trial.

Neither Pakistan nor India have provided details about the other civilian prisoners. But arrests on both sides have included violations such as overstaying visas or travel to unauthorized cities and towns.

The nuclear-armed south Asian rivals also exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities Saturday.

The exchange is part of a pact signed by the two countries in December 1988 called the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. It was implemented in 1991.

Neither side gave details of nuclear facilities and installations but it is largely believed that the list is comprised of known nuclear facilities.

The picturesque Kashmir region is divided between India and Pakistan. Both claim it in its entirety and fought two of their three wars over the region.

Relations between the two countries became more tense after India stripped Indian controlled Kashmir of its special status in its constitution in August 2019.

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World

US shooting kills teenage boy, injures 5 women

A 15-year-old boy died and five young women were injured in a Milwaukee shooting in the latest violence to target the city’s young people, police said.

The 15-year-old boy died at the scene following the shooting that occurred about 11:30 p.m. Monday on the city’s north side, Milwaukee police said. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy as Davion Patterson.

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Five women, ages 18, 19, 21, and two 22-year-olds, were taken to a hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries, police said.

Investigators said they were looking for unknown suspects and trying to learn what led up to the shooting.

Jacqueline Moore told WTMJ-TV her 16-year-old daughter was shot and killed in the same area nearly three years ago.

“Fifteen or 14 years old, it doesn’t matter it was still a child,” Moore said. “Somebody lost their baby again. Another Black parent has to bury their baby.”

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World

Ramadan 2023: Experts advise teens on managing stress amid fasting and exams

As the holy month of Ramadan is set to begin on Thursday, doctors in the United Arab Emirates have advised Muslim teenagers on how to manage stress levels while fasting and undergoing school exams.

Ramadan is observed by more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide – with many of them being teenagers and young adults.

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A girl prays during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Amman September 24, 2006. (Reuters)

This year, the holy month falls during a critical period in the school year where teenagers in the UAE are stepping up academic studies ahead of exams. Experts are warning this can pile extra pressure on youngsters as they fast from dawn until sunset as an act of devotion and spiritual reflection.

Dr Renuka Ramasamy, a specialist in family medicine at Dubai’s International Modern hospital, told Al Arabiya English: “As we all know we are very close to the holy Ramadan. It is a big challenge and stressful period for both [Muslim] adults and adolescents in high schools and universities.”

As teenagers keep up with their schedules including attending lectures, extra classes, and sports activities, “a disturbance in eating habits and sleeping pattern can induce more stress and mood disturbances during fasting,” the doctor added.

She also mentioned there are lots of hormonal changes taking place during the teenage years which add emotional stress.

Stay hydrated, sleep well

It is critical youngsters be mindful of the added pressure during this period, Dr. Ramasamy said.

“It is very important that you eat sensibly at iftar and suhoor. Eat food that releases energy slowly such as carbohydrates, fruits, whole grain and nuts which keeps you active the whole day,” she advised. “Also make sure [to] drink lots of water and rehydrate yourself.”
The doctor also mentioned sleeping adequately for at least six continuous hours per night during this time reduces stress and aids in studying effectively.

“Also, positive thoughts boost your mind and keep your mind clear without any confusion and anxiety,” she said.

“Another important advice is doing exercise during fasting.”

Exercise can stave off stress

Exercise is a well-known fact to maintain your mental well-being, she said.

“Exercise cures your low mood, depression and stress… But please select the correct type of exercise during fasting period,” Dr. Ramasamy added.

However, high intensity tiring workouts while fasting are not recommended.

“You can always go for light intensity exercises such as walking, swimming and aerobic exercise at home.”

Practice self-care

Dr Reena Thomas, a clinical psychologist at Medeor Hospital, Dubai, told Al Arabiya English that the easiest route is enabling better self-care through managing sudden changes in eating and sleeping habits by hydrating well, eating sensibly, getting adequate rest and exercising.

“Young adults must get adequate sleep and rest,” she stressed, adding: “Low-intensity exercise (brisk walking, home-based workouts, yoga, swimming, etc.) can help reduce stress by releasing endorphins, naturally making you feel good.”

She suggested taking enough breaks and engaging in activities “that soothe all your senses as and when needed.”

These include “visualization or imagery exercises, mindfulness meditation, massaging your skin, making art, taking a bath, playing with a pet, etc.”

Practice ‘gratitude journaling’

Practicing ‘gratitude journaling’ – the habit of recording and reflecting on things (typically three) that you are grateful for on a regular basis – will help young adults to be more constructive in life and more optimistic, according to Dr Thomas.

“Also, decluttering their mind and taking one day at a time by adding structure to their routine will help them reduce their stress level and increase focus,” she said. “Teenagers should be more realistic in their expectations and appropriate limit-setting will help reduce their self-imposed burden and give them more clarity.”
The doctor also said teenagers should take advantage of the “spiritual strength” during the month which gives them an opportunity “to disengage from addictive behaviors and excessive stimulants, which can also help improve focus.”
Dr Thomas said teenagers should consult experts if they are on medication and know the potential impact on their mental health with sudden disruptions in sleep cycles, including nocturnal sleep reduction and broken sleep patterns, and changes in energy levels.
“There is a possibility of exacerbation of mood disorders, eating disorders and body image disturbances,” she said. “Religious exemptions from fasting are acceptable for people lacking the mental strength due to either having a recent acute episode or suffering from chronic mental health disorders. However, there is a likelihood of feelings of guilt and exclusion affecting their experience, leading to isolation, and worsening mental health.”

This needs to be carefully addressed by their friends and family, she said.

“Nevertheless, socialization is a necessity as the brain is wired for inter-connectedness. The holy month provides an opportunity for richer social experiences with collective activities, and it helps heal and preserve mental health,” the doctor added.

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World

China approves its first mRNA vaccine for COVID-19

China’s CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited said on Wednesday its messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization from Chinese health authorities.

The approval from the National Medical Products Administration means CSPC is the first company cleared to provide an mRNA vaccine in China – but it comes as COVID cases decline across the country after a recent surge.

China has declined to use mRNA vaccines from abroad and vaccines available in China are widely considered less effective than the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA shots.

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CSPC said it independently developed its vaccine, called SYS6006, which targets some major Omicron coronavirus variants.

The firm said testing showed incidents of adverse effects were low and, specifically, the severity of bad events in an elderly group were significantly reduced, which could be a boon for China as it has stressed the need to focus on vaccinating and boosting its vulnerable elderly population.

Last August, the firm reported a “good” safety profile for the shot and in a November, filing revealed positive progress of the candidate in several clinical studies.

The firm got emergency approval to conduct clinical trials of the mRNA shot in April last year, at about the same time as CanSino, another China-based company that is testing an mRNA Omicron booster shot.

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