After repeated incidents of assault on workers in the health system, the latest of which was “a citizen hitting an employee at Al-Razi Hospital with a sharp object and inflicting wounds and leaving the employee with a broken nose, reports Al-Qabas daily. The health officials emphasized that these unfortunate incidents require an urgent action by the state authorities to protect doctors, nurses and staff inside medical facilities.

The officials pointed out the need to take urgent measures to prevent these attacks happening inside the health facilities pointing out that the Ministry of Interior has not failed and is making every effort to secure medical facilities and surrounding areas and has placed patrols in the vicinity of hospitals and health centers. The security patrols present at the security points inside the hospitals recently caught juveniles and teenagers in possession of sharp objects.

They pointed to the need to spread community awareness of the importance of the role of doctors, nurses and workers in the medical system. They touched on the assault incident that happened in Al-Razi Hospital, stressing that it is not the first, and it will not be the last, in the Ministry of Health facilities, despite the many statements and appeals made by unions, the Medical Association, and the Nursing Association earlier.

They explained that visitors are required to cooperate with administrative staff and medical, nursing and technical staff in public health centers and hospitals during visiting hours, as some relatives often force their way to visit patients outside visiting hours. Meanwhile, head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the new Farwaniya Hospital Dr Amal Khader disclosed that the department dealt with 50 births since it opened on Feb 5 until Feb 9, reports Al-Rai day. She said these births included two sets of twins, affirming that the mothers and newborns are in good health condition.

- More than 20,000 people are now known to have died after Monday’s earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria

- Six UN lorries carrying aid have now crossed the border from Turkey into Syria – the first international help people there have had

- Without shelter, water, fuel or electricity the World Health Organization fears many survivors could yet lose their lives

- It says there’s a danger there will be a secondary disaster which may cause harm to more people than the initial quake

- Rescuers in Turkey and Syria are continuing their painstaking work but hopes are fading for the many still trapped under the rubble

The Ministry of Education is considering increasing the fees for the services it provides including the fees for academic certificates, transcripts, attestation, equivalencies, and “To Whom It May Concern” certificates, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting informed sources.

They explained that the ministry has formed a committee to discuss the possibility of increasing the service fees based on the circular issued by the Ministry of Finance to government agencies to reconsider the fees for approval within the next budget.

They are currently studying how to calculate the fees and their actual cost. In its circular, the Ministry of Finance stressed the need to commit to rationalizing spending in the budget, rationing all aspects of spending, reviewing the fees for the services they provide, and increasing their value in proportion to their cost, in addition to raising the efficiency in collecting revenues and government debts.

With spring falling early this year in Kuwait, Nuwair and Malva flowers are now beginning to blossom out everywhere in the country, adorning streets, roads and even the desert in a naturally-shaped eye-catching image that brings serenity, joy and delight. Speaking to KUNA on Nuwair-growing in Kuwait, Dr. Sara Al-Ateeqi, a voluntary environment protection team member, said the fact that Nuwair and Malva flowers are now widespread in all Kuwaiti areas actually gives a feeling of calmness and pleasure thanks to their bright yellow and green colors.

Nuwair, in fact, is a group of yellow, orange and white spring plants and called Nuwair since it looks like the sun in view of its brilliance and splendor, she said, adding that its name differs from one species to another and even according to the time it grows up.

Blossoming out in desert and along roads during winter and spring, Nuwair is locally renowned as “Al-Hanwa”, “Al-Houthan”, “Al-Zamlouk”, “Al-Marar”, “Al-Adheed” and “Al-Hambzan”, Al-Ateetqi elaborated. With regards to Malva, she said it does not belong to the species of Nuwair.

Rather, it is a totally different plant that thrives during the months of January and February and whose green flowers are very delicious. For his part, Ouda Al-Bathali, a researcher, said that Hamlouq is widespread during this period of the year, with its fl owers blooming at sunrise but closing at sunset. Al-Zamlouq is a pure Kuwaiti word that literally means “early” since this species in particular is the first plant to bloom immediately following rainfall, he added. Al-Houthan is a species of flowers that contains five round petals that are fragmented into three parts, Al-Bathali pointed out.(KUNA)

The Ministry of Interior warns Kuwaitis and expats about fraud video calls made by scammers who impersonate Kuwait police and ask for banking and personal data.

The MOI has warned to be careful and wary of such fraudulent calls in order to avoid falling victims and to inform the competent authorities when they receive such suspicious calls.

The Ministry of Interior never makes video calls either to Kuwaitis or expats and asks for personal details or banking details.

Meteorologist Fahd Al-Otaibi announced that the country is on the verge of a cold wave during the coming weekend, as temperatures are expected to drop below three degrees Celsius in the desert areas, Al Qabas reported. He added that the chances of frost formation are possible at dawn on Friday and Saturday, especially in farms and the desert, in which temperatures will be between two and five degrees Celsius.

Al-Otaibi said that temperatures will be between five and ten degrees Celsius in residential areas, and that chances of light to medium rain will return next Sunday, due to the progression of the depression focusing on some northern and central regions.

When you are in the kitchen, turn off the stove quickly, stay away from windows, and avoid elevators.

Al-Rai daily reports on the American centers' advice for protection from earthquakes. When an earthquake occurs in your house or at your workplace, you should take shelter under the table, or underneath any solid furniture, they advised.

As reported by "Al Jazeera.net", the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that in most cases individuals can protect themselves by performing "Drop, Cover, Hold on".

Protect yourself in any situation with these steps

- Get down on your hands and knees. This position protects you from falling and allows you to move if necessary.

- Cover your head and neck (and your whole body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk, and if there is no shelter nearby, get down close to the wall or next to low furniture that does not fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

- Stay in your position until the shaking stops. If you’re indoors, stay where you are and don’t run outside or into other rooms during an earthquake. You’ll be less likely to get injured if you stay where you are.

- The best place to take shelter inside the home or workplace is under the table, or any solid furniture that provides protection such as a desk or bed.

- Apply the rule of “take cover and remain stable”. If possible, and within the few seconds before the shaking intensifies, quickly move away from glass, hanging objects, bookcases, or other large furniture that may fall.

- Watch for items falling from stoves and fireplaces, lighting fixtures, items hanging on walls and high shelves, and cabinets with doors that can open.

- If you’re in bed, grab it and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to get injured while you are in place. Broken glass on the ground can cause injury if you walk or roll on the ground.

- Do not try to get out of the shower, as this may lead to slipping and falling. And when the shaking stops you can get out of the shower.

- The best place to take shelter in an earthquake while you’re outside is to stay in an open area as far away from any walls, buildings, power lines or poles as possible.

- Stay away from buildings, utility wires, potholes, and fuel and gas lines. The greatest danger is falling debris just outside entrances and near exterior walls.

- Never run towards a beach. When strong underwater earthquakes occur, they may cause huge waves that go beyond the shore.

- If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible, and move your vehicle to the side of the road or sidewalk, away from power poles, overhead wires, underpasses or overpasses.

- Turn on the radio to get the latest information and news, and to receive instructions and directives that may be issued by the competent authorities.

- Do not drive if a power line has fallen over the vehicle. If you try to escape the car or drive away, you could be electrocuted.

- Stay as still as possible until help arrives, and if there are downed power lines nearby, don’t drive over them either.

Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid, the first deputy prime minister, interior minister, and deputy defense minister, announced a number of decisions related to the work of the Committee for Amending Demographics and Developing the Labor Market immediately after its first meeting, reports Al-Qabas daily. He announced that the committee would begin working on demographic and labor market imbalances immediately. He approved the executive regulations of draft Law 74 of 2020, which calls for organizing demographics. It will be submitted to the Council of Ministers, which will also take the demographic composition into account and call for urgent measures to be taken.

Additionally, the committee reviewed the presentation made by the president of the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies on Kuwaitization, which encourages Kuwaiti nationals to join cooperative societies by understanding Kuwait's needs.

The committee has issued a decision obliging cooperative societies to soon Kuwaitize all senior and supervisory positions, in addition to raising the percentage of workers in cooperative societies, which allows creating about 3,000 job opportunities for Kuwaitis in the cooperatives sector by offering good salaries and financial incentives, in addition to creating opportunities for retirees on the board of directors in the advisory capacity.

The committee also issued a decision assigning the Public Authority for Manpower, in coordination with the private sector, to prepare a program that includes specialized training projects that focuses on qualifying and empowering Kuwaitis to work in the private sector and enhance their capabilities and encourage and support national employment. Furthermore, sources told the Demographics Committee that a special smart application bearing the name "Kuwait visa" might be activated to implement Kuwaitization, organize entry visas, and ensure that all procedures that precede entry to Kuwait are valid.

Through the 'my identity' application, sources said, there is a tendency to add the capability of verifying the identity of the worker, the validity of his residency, and the validity of his profession data. The worker can be verified by anyone using him to eliminate marginal labor by verifying his identity.

According to sources, the Public Authority for Manpower, together with the Civil Service Commission, was tasked with motivating citizens to work in the private sector through a platform dubbed 'Our Pride'. It is reported that the Minister of Interior stressed the importance of following up on the procedures that have taken place and issuing new assignments during the next meeting.

Based on the directives of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mazen Al-Nahedh, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Al-Enezi issued a decision to allow companies and institutions, which work in the field of trading in precious artifacts and jewelry, to sell their artifacts with stamps that were banned under ministerial resolution No. 114/2021, but under certain conditions, reports Al-Rai daily.

The selling of artifacts and jewelries bearing banned stamps should be conducted according to the following conditions:

1. The quantity must be registered in the precious metals management system.
2. An appointment must be obtained for re-stamping.
3. Artifacts sold with banned stamps should be documented in a special register that has to be handed over to the Precious Metals Department. The register must contain consumer data according to the obligations included in the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law.
4. A clear notice with the exact date for re-stamping must be placed in front of the shop.

According to the decision, the last day for selling the artifacts and jewelry bearing the banned stamp is May 30, 2023, which concurs with the conditions set forth in article 1.

 The detention renewal judge recently ordered the extension of the detention of 11 individuals accused of leaking high school exams for 14 days to continue the interrogation, reports Al-Seyassah daily. The accused, who are currently detained at the Central Prison, include five citizens, four Egyptians and two women – one of whom is a Jordanian.

All of them denied the charges when they appeared in court with their lawyers. Earlier, the detention renewal judge charged them with disclosing secrets, bribery and money laundering, while their lawyers demanded for their release with any guarantee that the judicial authority deems appropriate.

The Director General of Al-Ajairi Scientific Center, Youssef Al-Ajairi, revealed that the center, in cooperation with a Swiss company, is working on a smartphone application that would enable solar energy run electricity in homes, farms, or even chalets, to save energy consumption and preserve the environment.

According to Al Qabas, Al-Ajiri confirmed that the app will serve those wishing to convert energy in their homes into energy derived from the sun, especially since the geographical location of Kuwait is distinct in terms of the abundance of sunlight every year. He explained that the data from the app will determine for the user the correct direction and appropriate location to place solar panels and generate energy, especially that it will be based on supporting spatial maps, as well as the level of dust suspended in the atmosphere.

Al-Ajiri said that the app was developed with the Swiss company, which studied the geographical location of Kuwait and its levels of dust, in addition to various studies conducted by the center in tracking down the sun’s path.

Authorities conducting residency inspection campaigns referred 13 expatriates to administrative deportation on Monday following their detention, along with other residency violators and service offices that employed maids on a daily or hourly basis in Jahra.

According to the security source of Al-Anba, among the deportees was an Asian who deceived three expats by promising them their release after receiving money from them to bribe the detectives.

In the phone market, consumers consider the “iPhone” models to be the most value-conscious compared to many other types of phones, so their purchase is in high demand throughout the year from a wide segment of consumers. Others wait for the prices to drop so that they can purchase a high-performance device or an imitation.

Recently, the prices of "iPhone 14" phones in Kuwait recorded a very favorable opportunity for purchase, after they declined by between 5 and 20 percent as a result of promotional offers by many companies and stores selling phones and accessories. The savings amount to about 70 dinars for a device, according to Al-Anba.

It is estimated that the local market will import more than 20,000 devices of the iPhone 14 by the end of 2022, resulting in an increase in the supply of these devices over the demand rate in the market. Sources in the telecommunications and electronics retail sector report an increase in the volume of imports.

Apparently, what is behind the amazing promotions and discounts on the market is the entry of the "Hong Kong" version into the country, which supports dual SIM cards.

Some of the "Iphone 14" models had prices of up to 360 dinars, such as the iPhone 14 Plus with 256 GB, which fell to 290 dinars. The most requested category by Apple phone users, which is the Pro category, witnessed a drop in prices for most of the models and capacities in that category.

A Pro with an internal capacity of 256 GB sold for 430 dinars instead of 450 dinars, losing 5% of its value.

First relief flight of Kuwait’s humanitarian “Air Bridge” departed Tuesday to Turkiye under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah. The flight was sent to aid the affected people of Turkiye who suffered from the powerful earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria, killing many people and injuring many others.

A group poses for a photo as the first relief flight of Kuwait’s humanitarian ‘air bridge’ departed Tuesday to Turkiye under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The launch of the “air bridge” was witnessed by the head of the General Fire Force, Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Mekrad, and the Turkish Ambassador to the country, Tuba Nur Sonmez, with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kuwait Fire Force, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, the Ministry of Health and the Kuwaiti army. Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the launch of the air bridge, while the Kuwaiti army took over the responsibility of transporting cadres, machinery and equipment by air.

Kuwait’s military on Tuesday sent a pair of planes carrying urgent aid for the victims of a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkiye’s southeastern border region with Syria a day earlier. The outpouring of aid comes a day after Kuwait opened an air bridge for the transfer of relief assistance for the victims of the devastating earthquake, which killed more than a thousand people and left scores of others injured, said an army statement. Kuwait’s rapid delivery of aid for Turkiye in the wake of the natural calamity is a testament to the “breadth” of bilateral relations, the statement underlined.

On Monday, Kuwait’s Cabinet has expressed sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims of the devastating earthquake which hit Syria and Turkiye.

The Cabinet offered condolences to families of the victims and wished the injured quick recovery and the missing safe rescue, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Barrak Al-Shiitan at the Cabinet meeting at Seif Palace on Monday.

The Cabinet, headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was also briefed about His Highness the Amir’s instructions to launch airlift to transport urgent rescue and relief aid as well as medical teams to Turkey. Due to this emergency and upon directives from the state political leadership, the Cabinet ordered a private jet to be sent to the quake-hit areas in Turkey to evacuate Kuwaitis there. It also affirmed that the Kuwaiti consulates in Ankara and Istanbul are closely following up the situation and exerting all efforts to ensure the safe return of nationals to homeland.

The Cabinet also assigned the Ministry of Social Affairs to launch a donation campaign, in collaboration with charities, nongovernment organizations, civil society organizations, private sector, citizens and residents, to collect and send relief aid to the quake-affected people. At the meeting onset, the Cabinet congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the recently held flag-hoisting ceremony which signals the start of national celebrations of the 62nd anniversary of the Independence Day and the 32nd anniversary of the Liberation Day. On these dear occasions, the Cabinet congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah and the Kuwaiti people. First Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah informed the Cabinet about the largest-ever seizure of illegallyobtained Lyrica (pregabalin) pills, some 15 million, and half a tonne of the drug in raw powder form in Kuwait. (KUNA)

A new study has tried to address an often-asked question: whether egg consumption has a bearing on heart health. The research, published in the journal Nutrients, found that eating more eggs could be good for your heart. The researchers from Boston University studied data on more than 2,300 adults and concluded that eating five or more eggs a week was associated with lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, suggesting eating eggs may actually promote heart health.

Currently, the American Heart Association recommends one whole egg or two eggs with just the whites per day as part of a heart-healthy diet. While eggs are a rich source of protein and other nutrients, they are also known to elevate cholesterol levels, which may not be good for the heart.

One egg, approximately, gives six grams of protein, said Dr Aparna Jaswal, director, electrophysiology and cardiac pacing, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi adding that a normal healthy adult needs 0.8 to 1 gram of protein a day for every kilogram of weight. “This means, if you are 60 kg, you would need 40-60 g of protein. Also, remember that you could take 2-3 yolks in a week while largely trying to stick to egg whites,” Dr Jaswal told.

 Indian-American schoolgirl Natasha Perianayagam was named in the "world's brightest" students list for the second consecutive year by the US-based Johns Hopkins Center For Talented Youth, based on the results of above-grade-level tests of over 15,000 students across 76 countries.

Perianayagam, 13, is a student at Florence M Gaudineer Middle School, in New Jersey.

She also took the Johns Hopkins Center For Talented Youth (CTY) test in Spring 2021, when she was a Grade 5 student.

Her results in the verbal and quantitative sections levelled with the 90th percentile of advanced Grade 8 performance, which catapulted her into the honours list that year.

This year, she was honoured for her exceptional performance on the SAT, ACT, School and College Ability Test, or similar assessment taken as part of the CTY Talent Search, the university said in a press release on Monday.

Perianayagam, whose parents hail from Chennai, said she loves doodling and reading JRR Tolkien's novels in her spare time.

CTY used above-grade-level testing to identify advanced students from around the world and provide a clear picture of their academic abilities.

According to the university release, Perianayagam was among the 15,300 students from 76 countries who joined CTY in the 2021-22 Talent Search year.

Less than 27 per cent of those participants qualified for the CTY ceremony, receiving either high or grand honours based on their test scores.

In her latest attempt, Perianayagam scored the highest grades among all candidates.

"This is not just recognition of our students' success on one test, but a salute to their love of discovery and learning, and all the knowledge they have accumulated in their young lives so far," said CTY's executive director Dr Amy Shelton.

"It is exciting to think about all the ways in which they will use that potential to discover their passions, engage in rewarding and enriching experiences, and achieve remarkable things -- in their communities and in the world," she added.

The Kuwait Sat-1 satellite has reached the final stages of its launch and early orbit phase (LEOP), before it begins taking images of Kuwait, announced Dr Hala Al-Jassar, director of the national project for Kuwait Sat-1 backed by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.

“This is an initial stage in which any satellite goes into orbit around Earth, which usually lasts for two to three months from the date of launch, during which the first signal is received and tests are conducted on the satellite. Moreover, all its systems are calibrated to ensure they work well and are performing their required functions,” Dr Jassar said.

“The technical team of the first Kuwaiti satellite is communicating with the satellite in an excellent way by sending and receiving signals from the earth station at the College of Science at Kuwait University. They are working 24/7 to ensure the safety of all systems, including the electric power system (EPS), which is responsible for generating power from solar cells and then storing it in a battery to be distributed to satellite systems,” she explained.

Dr Jassar pointed out the safety of the Attitude Determination And Control System (ADCS), which is responsible for ensuring the stability and guidance of the satellite during the orbit phase, has been successfully verified, and that work is ongoing daily by the technical team to verify the safety of all other systems in order to ensure they are working well.

“Soon, after completing all tests of the Kuwait Sat-1 satellite systems, the camera will be operated to take images of Kuwait, which will be sent to the ground station at the College of Science at Kuwait University to be used for environmental and other applications by researchers and students,” she added.

A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkey and neighboring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,500 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors. Authorities feared the death toll would rise further as rescuers searched through tangles of metal and concrete for survivors in a region beset by more than a decade of Syria’s civil war and a refugee crisis.

Civil defense workers and residents search through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the town of Harem near the Turkish border, Idlib province, Syria, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP)

In Kuwait, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences Monday to the President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing sorrow over the recent earthquake that caused causalities and property damages. In the cable, His Highness the Amir expressed condolences to the Turkish President and the victims’ families, wishing speedy recovery for those injured.

Upon orders by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, a decree was issued on Monday to dispatch aid and medical equipment through airplanes to be sent to Turkiye in response to the devastating earthquake that hit the southern part of the country. As part of the helping efforts, teams from the foreign ministry, Fire Department, Kuwait Red Crescent, health ministry, and Kuwait army will participate in this regard.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also sent a cable of condolences Monday to President Erdogan, expressing sorrow over the recent earthquake that caused causalities and property damages. In the cable, His Highness the Crown Prince expressed condolences to the Turkish President and the victims’ families, wishing speedy recovery for those injured. Parliament Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun sent a cable of condolences Monday to the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop, expressing deep sorrow over the recent earthquake south of the country that caused causalities and property damages.

In his cable, Al-Saadoun also expressed condolences to the victims’ families, wishing speedy recovery for those injured. A cable of condolences was also sent by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah to the President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah expressed on Monday, on behalf of the country, concern for the recent earthquakes that hit Syria and Southern Turkey as thousands of casualties have been affected and the aftershock reverberations of the impact settle.

In a press release, Sheikh Salem presented Kuwait’s grieve concerns towards the families affected and hoped a quick recovery as further rescue operations are underway to uncover some of the missing casualties. Under these circumstances, a decree was issued by the nation’s political leadership to operate a designated airplane to help extract Kuwaiti nationals currently located in those areas while the Foreign Ministry is keeping a close eye on the situation through its offices in Ankara and Istanbul. Meanwhile, the Kuwait Embassy in Turkiye urged Kuwaitis in the Turkish southern governorates to take caution and adhere to the instructions issued by the official authorities, following the earthquake that struck the Kahramatmaras governorate earlier today. The Embassy also went on encouraging the Kuwaiti citizens to contact the embassy or with the Consulate General in Istanbul when necessary on the following numbers: 00905331648479, 00905306902097.

Residents jolted out of sleep by the pre-dawn quake rushed outside in the rain and snow to escape falling debris, while those who were trapped cried for help. Major aftershocks, including one nearly as strong as the initial quake, continued to rattle the region. “I don’t have the strength anymore,” one survivor could be heard calling out from beneath the rubble in the Turkish city of Adana, as rescue workers tried to reach him, said a resident, journalism student Muhammet Fatih Yavuz. He said three buildings near his home were toppled. The quake, which was centered on Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, sent residents of Damascus rushing into the street and was felt as far away as Cairo and Beirut.

“Because the debris removal efforts are continuing in many buildings in the earthquake zone, we do not know how high the number of dead and injured will rise,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. The quake piled more misery on a region that has seen tremendous suffering over the past decade. On the Syrian side, the area affected is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition- held enclave, which is surrounded by Russianbacked government forces. Turkey, meanwhile, is home to millions of refugees from the civil war.

The suffocating traffic congestion returned to various parts of the country on Sunday; as more than 550,000 students thronged to their schools at the beginning of the second semester of the current academic year, reports Al- Anba daily.

About 500,000 of these students are in the general education stages; while more than 42,000 are enrolled at Kuwait University and other academic institutions.

A large number of road users expressed disappointment over the traffic jam, as they were late for their appointments.

Once again, this raises the question about the possibility of implementing fl exible school hours; such that classes in the general education stages do not start at the same time.

There are many excuses for the delay caused by the Public Authority for Civil Information in issuing civil cards to expatriates and limiting them to citizens and children under the age of 5, despite the authority collecting five dinars to issue the cards.

Kuwait wants to fully rely on the digital civil card (My Identity) as part of its digital transformation, but some parties inside and outside Kuwait do not recognize it and do not accept it for official transactions.

The use of "My ID" for travel and most government transactions has resulted in complaints from residents about specific cases, most notably:

- Some foreign embassies require the original civil ID when submitting application for the visa, after they used to rely on the residence sticker in the passport, which has been cancelled.

- Some private schools require copies of the civil ID cards of the father, mother and the child to accept the student, or when submitting his academic certificate.

- The resident who obtains residence for the first time is asked for the serial number on the card, so that he can download “My Identity” on his mobile phone, and this number is not issued until the card is issued for the first time, which makes his matter suspended, so he does not carry a smart or ordinary civil card.

- During the security campaigns, especially in the places where the expatriates are, the policemen ask for the civil card to prove the legal status, but sometimes the expatriate worker may not have a smart phone or his phone has a problem or its screen is not clear, which leads to obstruction in checking his papers.

- Some government agencies outside Kuwait do not consider my ID and require the resident to show the original civil card in order to prove that he is a resident of Kuwait, especially since there is no residence sticker on his passport.

Many expatriates hope that measures will be taken to speed up card issuance and return to the pre-Corona conditions when cards were issued within a few days of requesting them.