Wednesday cover: Mahdi Ali looks at the positives after UAE’s Asian Cup defeat

The National Sport front page on Wednesday, January 28 features the UAE national football team after their defeat to Australia in the Asian Cup semi-finals.

After conceding two early goals, the UAE tried to fight their way back into the game, but ultimately came up short.

Coach Mahdi Ali insists his players can learn valuable lessons from their Asian Cup campaign, which must be deemed a success having reached the last-four.

— UAE’s charming journey in Australia not over yet

— UAE lose Asian Cup semi-final to Australia — in pictures

— Al Wahda have ‘tentative deal’ to bring Tim Cahill to UAE

Europe’s rearming plan

Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association

Quick facts on cancer

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
At least one third of common cancers are preventable
Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

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Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km

Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)

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