Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir, 100, in hospital for fatigue, office says
Mahathir, leader of the Southeast Asian nation for more than two decades, has a history of heart problems and has undergone bypass surgeries. He has been hospitalised repeatedly in recent years, most recently in October for a respiratory infection.
He is under observation at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for fatigue-related issues, his office said. "He is resting, but we expect him to be back home by this evening," it said in a statement.
A physician who was a member of parliament until 2022, Mahathir drove himself on Sunday to the celebration, which also marked the 99th birthday of his wife, Hasmah Mohd Ali, a day earlier, local media reported. The reports said he cycled for an hour before appearing tired. His birthday was on Thursday.
Mahathir was prime minister for 22 years until 2003. He returned as premier in 2018 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win, but his government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
At 82, I'm completely at home with bacteria
Regarding the article on bacteria in homes (Is your home a health hazard? 15 surprisingly filthy everyday items, from taps to toothbrushes, 17 July), I have managed to live to the age of 82 without ever putting a cutting board in the dishwasher, or sterilising light switches, the TV remote or my spectacles. I do boil the dishcloth every couple of weeks and that's it. We have lived with these bacteria for millennia. Is there any evidence that sterilising every surface would do anything other than increase paranoia?Owen WellsIlkley, West Yorkshire Adrian Chiles, trying to sleep in the heat of the Croatian summer, should use a canny old Australian trick: keep your pyjamas in the freezer until bedtime (I've found the cure for a sleepless night in a heatwave – but it can have its drawbacks…, 17 July). Bliss!Liz TaylorWest Bridgford, Nottinghamshire To answer Tony Meacock's question (Letters, 18 July), no, I haven't finished my replica of the Bayeux tapestry yet. Right now, the completed embroidery stands at 52.6 metres. I aim to finish in HanssonWisbech, Cambridgeshire Wow! Blake Morrison's compilation of terrorists (Letters, 18 July) is the most powerful letter I have ever seen in my 60 years of reading the Guardian. I just hope that those who could make a difference will read it. Gill Empson Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire Thanks to Blake Morrison for his poem. It just reminded me why I buy the KinderRomsey, Hampshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Royal Hampshire County Hospital staff take up rooftop beekeeping
They may not be traditional patients, but 60,000 of them have arrived at a hospital and they still need caring extra demand is down to swarms of bees, and each year the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester calls in experts to remove this year they have changed tack, with bee hives installed on the roof for staff to oversee in their spare Vickers, who works in critical care outreach, told the BBC: "I'm so excited to get involved in this, it sounds like such a lovely project." Ms Vickers is one of six recently trained staff, assisted by the Romsey & District Beekeeping added: "I absolutely love bees. I'm a beekeeper myself. I've been bee-obsessed my whole life." Previously it was costly for the hospital to have the bees removed, and the decision to nurture them has presented new opportunities for scientist Megan Hills, said she has always wanted to keep bees but never had the time."It's really exciting and nice to see we have a project like this at the hospital, both for the staff and everyone else," she said."I always think it makes you feel really happy when you just see them floating around, buzzing around, that low hum."It makes you feel really warm and summery."She said the bees in the hive were "a lot calmer than I thought, I thought I was going to get stung".She added: "I'll be begging them to let me come back." Maintenance technician Jim Watson said: "We've had them about three weeks now."They're quite calm, they're definitely going out foraging, bringing stuff back [and] starting to produce honey, it's all going good." The bees will be checked on every week, and any staff who want to get involved will be able to do so in their own time, the hospital said.A new hive of 40,000 bees is due to be added, and there are plans to sell the honey gathered, with proceeds supporting Winchester Hospice. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Sky News
5 hours ago
- Sky News
What is chronic venous insufficiency? Symptoms and treatment after Trump diagnosed
US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House has confirmed. The president, 79, underwent a medical check-up after noticing "mild swelling" in his lower legs and was found to have the condition - which is common in older adults and causes blood to pool in the veins. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the diagnosis after concerns had been raised over recent photos, which showed bruising on the back of Mr Trump's hand that had been covered with make-up. Ms Leavitt said it was unrelated to the vein condition and was instead irritation from the president's "frequent handshaking" and use of aspirin. Mr Trump is said to take aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Mr Trump once described himself as "the healthiest president that's ever lived". The decision to disclose details of his medical check-up was intended to dispel speculation about his health. It comes as former president Joe Biden was repeatedly criticised by Republicans and opponents over his fitness to lead in light of a number of verbal gaffes towards the end of his term. He has since been diagnosed with prostate cancer. What is chronic venous insufficiency? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when little valves inside the veins that normally ensure proper blood flow back to the heart gradually lose the ability to work properly. The valves are especially important in the legs, where gravity works against the upward movement of blood, hence why CVI primarily affects the legs. In a note released to reporters, White House physician Captain Sean Barbabella said the condition is "benign and common", particularly in individuals over the age of 70. Symptoms can include varicose veins, pain, cramps, itching, hyperpigmentation, chronic swelling of the legs and ankles, and leg ulcers. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, CVI risks include being overweight, a family history of the condition, and previous leg damage or blood clots. Other causes include standing or sitting for long periods, smoking, and deep vein thrombosis. 👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈 What did Trump's physician say? Dr Barbabella said after Mr Trump reported "mild swelling" in his lower legs, the concern was "thoroughly evaluated" by the White House medical unit "out of an abundance of caution". In his statement, the physician said the president underwent a "comprehensive examination" that revealed CVI, which he described as a "benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70". Dr Barbabella noted: "Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease." Laboratory testing also showed "normal cardiac structure and function". Dr Barbabella said: "No signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified." The bruising on the back of Mr Trump's hand was said to be "minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen". In summary, Dr Barbabella stated: "President Trump remains in excellent health." What can Mr Trump do? Press secretary Ms Leavitt said the condition was not causing the president any discomfort. "The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here," she told reporters on Thursday. Ms Leavitt would not discuss how Mr Trump was treating the condition and suggested those details would be in the doctor's letter, which was later released to the public. However, the letter was the same as what she had read and failed to include any additional details. Those with CVI are often advised to lose weight, walk for exercise, and elevate their legs periodically. Wearing custom-made, medical-grade compression stockings can also help to manage the condition.
