March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month in the UAE, a time when people work together to raise awareness about the importance of screening and prevention. Colon cancer is a serious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the third-most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the US, with an estimated 149,500 new cases and 52,000 deaths in 2021. In the UAE, it is the second-highest cause of cancer-related deaths.
Colon cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. It is also known as colorectal cancer, as it occurs in the colon or rectum, which are part of the digestive system. Certain factors, however, can increase one's risk of being diagnosed with it. For example, a family history, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, or certain genetic syndromes can all play a role. This particular cancer typically begins as a small growth called a polyp that can be detected through timely screening. If left untreated, these polyps can develop into cancerous tumours, which can spread to other parts of the body.
The good news is that is a highly preventable cancer and can be treated if detected early. It is the one message that needs to be stressed and bears repeating. Regular screening, such as colonoscopies, can help detect polyps before they turn into cancer. In fact, regular check-ups and screenings can prevent colon cancer by triggering the early removal of polyps before they become cancerous.
In recent years, artificial intelligence has shown the potential to revolutionise health care in many ways, including the detection and treatment of cancer. An area where AI has shown particular promise is in screening for colon cancer. AI is now used in many hospitals in the UAE, such as Healthpoint Hospital in Abu Dhabi, to screen for colon cancer and is routinely integrated into clinical practice.
AI-based screening methods offer a non-invasive, low-cost and accurate alternative to doctors. By analysing medical image data, AI algorithms can detect early signs with great accuracy, potentially enabling more effective treatment.
As many people will know, a colonoscopy is a medical procedure in which a small, flexible tube with a camera and light on the end is used to examine the inside of the body. It is used to diagnose and treat various digestive disorders, including cancer. Traditionally, colonoscopies are reviewed by gastroenterologists, who visually inspect the colon for abnormalities. The process, however, can be time-consuming, subjective, and there is a risk of overlooking small lesions. AI makes colonoscopies more accurate, efficient and accessible.
An important way AI is being used in colonoscopies is through computer-aided detection – or Cad. These Cad systems analyse images from colonoscopies and identify abnormalities, such as polyps or tumours that might otherwise be difficult for human endoscopists to detect.
Researchers in one study trained a deep-learning algorithm on a dataset of more than 9,000 colonoscopy images to identify abnormal growths – with a 94 per cent accuracy rate. A study published in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy found that a Cad system improved the detection of colorectal polyps by 24 per cent compared to a traditional colonoscopy. This improves the accuracy of colon cancer screening and reduces the need for repeat colonoscopies. AI systems can process large amounts of data quickly and accurately, making it possible for doctors to make more informed decisions about patient care.
AI can also be used to assist colonoscopists in real time during surgeries. These algorithms can analyse images from the endoscope and guide doctors to exactly where to take biopsies or how to navigate the complex human anatomy. This can make a colonoscopy less invasive and more precise. A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that an AI system could accurately identify and remove polyps during colonoscopies, which is crucial as it then reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
For people who are over the age of 40 or who have a family history of colon cancer, it is important to talk to healthcare providers and set up regular screenings. And as colon cancer can develop without warning signs, it is advised to not wait until people experience symptoms. It is especially important to reduce one's risk, therefore, by getting tested routinely. A preventive approach can make all the difference, as early detection is often what determines the chances of a successful treatment and living a healthy post-cancer life.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1hr 32mins 03.897sec
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s
5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
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WITHIN%20SAND
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
COMPANY PROFILE
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
