After living a sedentary lifestyle and constantly overeating from depression, a 42-year-old US man has lost over 165 kilograms after doctors warned him about the deadly consequences of being overweight.
Nicholas Craft of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, had been dealing with obesity since childhood, he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. He reportedly weighed 136 kg in high school.
The 5 foot and 9 inches tall (175 cm) Craft who weighed 295 kilograms in 2019 found it difficult to attend family gatherings and travel for the simple reason that he could not fit through the door frame of everyday vehicles.
He reportedly had knee pain, body aches and shortness of breath.
Nicholas Craft's weight loss journey. (Twitter)
The weight-loss journey
Craft told the American news channel that he did not follow a specialized weight loss diet, but instead “switched the way he ate and how he approached food, which includes calorie counting and giving up junk food.”
He had to cut out soft drinks, fried food, bread, pasta, rice and other carb-heavy foodstuff, and replace them with fruits, vegetable and protein.
He also did strength training with dumbbells and made a conscious effort to move around throughout the day.
Craft also credited his grandmother who encouraged him to lead a healthy lifestyle.
She passed in 2019, before Craft’s mega transformation, but he said: “She would be so proud of me. She was my source of motivation.”
And while he still has not reached his goal weight, he reportedly does not get tempted by unhealthy food; his cravings are under control.
He has documented his journey on Facebook using before and after photographs, which have garnered support from users.
“This goes WAY above a regular congratulations,” one user wrote. “Outstanding work, young man, you are such an inspiration!!!”
“Keep up the good work and stay strong,” another user commented.
“Congratulations young man, your grandmother just gave you a second birth,” one user wrote. “Enjoy your healthy life.”
“Bless you Nicholas you’ve shown such love and respect to your grandmother and yourself,” another user shared.
Craft’s story is in stark contrast to numerous others who rely on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight.
Nicholas Craft's weight loss journey. (Twitter)
Drugs have side effects
Doctors routinely warn of side effects from consuming non-prescribed weight-loss drugs.
Regarding Ozempic for instance, a doctor told Al Arabiya English in January: “Semaglutide (Ozempic) can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Though these medications are well-proven in the management of obesity, these medications should only be taken after discussing with your obesity physician or endocrinologist the pros and cons of taking these medications.”
More recently, in an interview with Fox News, Dr. Marc Siegel explained that as people tend to “overuse” the drug for fast weight loss, “the buccal mucosa, the fat, leaves your face, and you become gaunt looking,” possibly an irreversible change.
Another trending drug, Wegovy, which can help people lose more than 10 percent of their total body weight, will be made available through the NHS’s specialist weight management service. It too has side effects including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
An increased demand for diabetes injections such as Ozempic and Saxenda due to popular social media trends and celebrity promotions has contributed to a global shortage.
Since these drugs are prescribed for diabetes patients, it is causing a strain on the healthcare system, and for patients to stick to treatment plans.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.
During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.
He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.
The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.
At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books
As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”
Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.
Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.
Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.
Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.
Automation
The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.
Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.
US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79
US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.
In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.
He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.
President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.