African woman found with 3kg drugs at Dubai airport

An African woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle several kilograms of drugs into Dubai, days after a Nigerian woman tried to do the same, according to the customs department. "Dubai Customs have thwarted in less than a week, the second attempt to smuggle over three kilograms of narcotic crystals ... brought in by an African business woman coming from an African city to Dubai," a Dubai customs' statement said.

The woman, whose nationality was not disclosed, said she did not know that the "five plastic bags wrapped in brown tape and stuffed into the sides and bottom" of her luggage contained "the narcotic crystal component also known by the name meth", a cheaper and less pure form of cocaine, the statement added. On Friday, Dubai Customs said it had thwarted 251 drug-trafficking attempts during the past five months, the latest on Monday when a Nigerian woman was arrested at the airport on suspicion of trying to smuggle in 7kg of cocaine.

* AFP

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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

African woman found with 3kg drugs at Dubai airport

An African woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle several kilograms of drugs into Dubai.

Moon Music

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?