World

US ready to consider alternate options if Iran nuclear deal fails: Antony Blinken

There are only “a few weeks left” to save the Iran nuclear deal, and the US is ready to look at “other options” if negotiations fail, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.

Talks to restore the 2015 accord between Tehran and world powers – US, France, Britain, Russia, China, and Germany – began last year but stopped in June as Iran elected President Ebrahim Raisi.

The talks resumed in November.

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“We have, I think, a few weeks left to see if we can get back to mutual compliance,” Blinken said in an interview with US public radio station NPR.

“We’re very, very short on time,” because “Iran is getting closer and closer to the point where they could produce on very, very short order enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon,” he said.

According to the top US diplomat, Tehran has made nuclear advances that “will become increasingly hard to reverse because they’re learning things, they’re doing new things as a result of having broken out of their constraints under the agreement.”

The 2015 deal offered Iran much-needed relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy, in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

But then-US president Donald Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the deal in 2018 prompted Tehran to walk back on its commitments.

Trump’s successor Joe Biden has backed a return, with Washington indirectly taking part in the European-brokered negotiations on reviving the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

After months of stalled talks, hosted in Vienna, Washington recently reported modest but still insufficient progress.

Reviving the accord “would be the best result for America’s security,” said Blinken. “But if we can’t, we are looking at other steps, other options,” with allies including in Europe and the Middle East.

Blinken has previously raised implicit threats of military action.

The other options have been “the subject of intense work as well in the past weeks and months,” he said. “We’re prepared for either course.”

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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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