Bangkok: Thailand’s legislature has agreed to amend the country’s drug law to allow the licensed medical use of marijuana, as well as the kratom, a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller. Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to take such action, which is also under consideration in neighbouring Malaysia. The legislation passed its final reading on Tuesday at the National Legislative Assembly by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions. However, recreational use of the drugs remains illegal and subject to prison terms and fines commensurate with the quantities involved. AP
El-Sissi’s call on Egyptians to lose weight creates a stir
Cairo: President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is demanding Egyptians lose weight. In televised comments earlier this month, the General-turned-President railed about the number of overweight people he sees and told Egyptians they must take better care of themselves. He said physical education should become core curriculum at schools and universities and suggested TV shows shouldn’t let presenters or guests on the air if they are overweight. But el-Sissi’s critics said he was fat-shaming and taking an elitist approach to a problem whose roots lie to a large extent in poverty. AP
Britain bans puppy and kitten sales by pet shops
London: Britain is forbidding puppies and kittens from being sold by pet shops in a bid to crack down on animal exploitation and abuse. The government said it would roll out the legislation next year after holding public consultations that showed 95% support for the ban. “This will mean that anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or with an animal re-homing centre,” an official said. Shops will only be allowed to deal with animal welfare shelters or the primary breeders of the pet. AFP
Mexican governor, senator husband die in copter crash
Mexico City: A Mexican governor and her senator husband were killed on Monday in a helicopter crash near the city of Puebla in central Mexico, the government said, just days after she had taken office following a bitterly contested election. Martha Erika Alonso, a senior opposition figure and governor of the state of Puebla, died with Rafael Moreno, a senator and former Puebla governor, when their Agusta helicopter came down on Monday afternoon shortly after take-off, the government said. Alonso, from the center-right National Action Party (PAN), took office this month after winning a bad-tempered contest in July. Reuters
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