KUWAIT: Preventive care, not waiting until illness strikes, was the central theme of a lecture delivered by Dr Darar Al-Khdair, consultant of internal medicine, cardiology & advanced interventional catheterization, at Volvo Studio in Kuwait City on Thursday. Drawing parallels between the human body and a car, Dr Al-Khdair explained that just as an engine powers a vehicle, the heart drives the body, with blood serving as its fuel. And like a car that requires regular servicing, the body too needs constant checkups and maintenance.

He highlighted several misconceptions about heart health. Many people assume walking alone is sufficient, but he stressed that “walking is good, but not enough. Exercise must be done in the right training zone based on heart rate—typically 120 to 140 for young adults—and should include both aerobic and resistance training.” He recommended using smart devices such as Fitbit to track heart rate and ensure exercise is performed correctly, advising people to have aerobic training at least 30 minutes a day.

Dr Darar Al-Khdair

Nutrition was another focus of his talk. Dr Al-Khdair warned that “white wheat can be worse than sugar.” He suggested healthier alternatives such as sourdough bread, which digests more slowly thanks to natural bacteria and fermentation. He added that overconsumption of sugar remains one of the greatest health threats: “White sugar is even worse than nicotine,” he noted.

When asked which factor matters most—diet, sleep, or exercise—he answered without hesitation: “Movement comes first. Exercise not only strengthens the heart, it regulates sleep, improves appetite, and enhances social interaction. Once you move right, everything else follows.” Dr Al-Khdair closed by urging participants not to wait for symptoms to appear, since cardiovascular and metabolic diseases often develop silently. “Regular checkups, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and proper training are the best safeguards against sudden breakdowns—just as you wouldn’t ignore your car until it stalls,” he said.

Mishal Al-Safran, Vice Chairman of Volvo BNK Automotive & Motion Group, reflected on the shared philosophy of medicine and engineering. “Even in Volvo, we consult doctors in designing our cars—orthopedic specialists for our seats, and ophthalmologists for windshield design to reduce driver fatigue,” he explained. He thanked Dr Al-Khdair for delivering a timely lecture, adding: “Just as our cars are built with safety and efficiency in mind, our bodies also need continuous care and attention.”

KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways has announced the acceptance of the second batch of students from the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, specializing in ground services for private air transport at Kuwait Airways, in cooperation with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training. Kuwait Airways signed a cooperation protocol last year with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training to establish a diploma program in ‘Air Transport Ground Services’ at the Authority’s Institute of Communications and Navigation.

Ghazlan Al-Tashah, Acting Director of the Training and Development Department at Kuwait Airways, stated that the acceptance of the second batch of students from the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, specializing in Air Transport Ground Services, is the continuation of the ongoing strategy to train and qualify students for specialized roles at Kuwait Airways. She pointed out that the national carrier is committed to injecting new talent from the next generation, who will play a vital role in the continued development and progress of Kuwait Airways in the future.

Al-Tashah added that Kuwait Airways has opened the door for its students to provide job opportunities within the company by providing specialized training courses across various operational sectors, including passenger services, cargo, sales, and security. The students are also being prepared and qualified through the combined expertise of Kuwait Airways employees and the academic staff at the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, in preparation for their integration into the company’s workforce in the coming period.

Al-Tashah stated that Kuwait Airways is committed to preparing and training future generations to serve both their country and the national carrier. She indicated that Kuwait Airways has consistently shown interest in empowering youth and nurturing national talent, who play a vital role in contributing to the company’s growth and advancement. This commitment contributes to raising the standards of excellence and positively impacts the quality of services provided to valued customers, ensuring their needs are met. Al-Tashah extended her sincere congratulations to the students accepted into this batch, wishing them continued success and prosperity in their upcoming journey with Kuwait Airways.

KUWAIT: The Center for Media Development at Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) concluded on Thursday its training program on “News Editing,” which brought together participants from KUNA, Qatar News Agency (QNA), the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Kuwait Insurance Regulatory Unit and the Kuwait Ports Authority.

The program, launched last Sunday, covered key aspects of journalistic editing, including the basics of news writing, re-editing, linguistic proofreading, and the preparation of different forms of journalistic material such as news reports, investigations, interviews, and feature stories. Participants also received training on maintaining quality standards in journalism, addressing common language errors, applying journalistic ethics, verifying information, and combating fake news in an era shaped by digital media developments.

“The mastery of accurate and proper Arabic is a cornerstone in conveying the message of media institutions and communicating effectively with the public,” said Dr. Abdullah Al-Harbi, professor of Arabic at the Arab Open University and the program’s presenter. “Choosing precise vocabulary and clear formulations not only enhances credibility but also strengthens public trust,” he added.

Al-Harbi stressed that news writing and press releases extend beyond simply delivering information, serving as a means to clarify institutional goals and messages. He underlined that professional editing skills are essential for effective communication, noting that the practical training component enabled participants to directly engage in reformulating and editing news, thereby improving their professional competence and aligning with the demands of modern media.

Since its establishment in December 1995, KUNA’s Center for Media Development has been recognized as one of the region’s leading institutions for media training. Over the years, it has organized hundreds of specialized programs aimed at enhancing professional skills, upgrading media cadres, and improving the overall quality of journalistic work. — KUNA