Increasing use of e-cigarettes could be responsible for more people failing to get the recommended hours of sleep, with doctors suggesting young people may be unaware vapes contain high levels of the addictive stimulant nicotine.
A survey of 950 people in the UAE last year found 40 per cent of people were not getting the recommended six to eight hours of sleep each night.
While increased use of screens is also contributing, those using e-cigarettes before bed are also likely to have disrupted rest.
Last year, data from the US Centres for Disease Control found that 1.63 million students used e-cigarettes, about six per cent of all young people, with similar trends reported elsewhere.
Doctors at the Mansheyet El Bakry General Hospital in Cairo looked at multiple global studies to assess how likely e-cigarettes were responsible for poor sleep and the level of understanding among young people.
Most studies were conducted in the US, with the University of Cincinnati concluding e-cigarette users were at increased odds of reporting insufficient sleep when compared with non-smokers and cigarette smokers.
Similar results were found by the University of Texas, which evaluated the sleep patterns of 28,135 adolescents.
Researchers found those using electronic vaping products were 1.33 times more likely to have less than the recommended eight hours sleep, than non-users.
Sleep deprivation over the long term can lead to multiple health problems, from weakening immunity to weight gain and cardiovascular disease.
Dr Amr El-Qushayri, an ear, nose and throat resident at Mansheyet El Bakry General Hospital in Cairo, looked at the association between sleep and e-cigarettes and said anxiety, mood and nicotine dose can all cause insomnia.
“We know that nicotine is a stimulant, but many users do not know that e-cigarettes contain different levels of nicotine, which is also addictive,” he said. “Some younger generations do not know anything about that, which is a major problem. Frequent e-cigarette use is associated with different respiratory disorders that can significantly impact your sleep behaviour.”
“A large amount of nicotine levels before sleep is associated with brain stimulation and reduces the need for sleep, he added. “Moreover, when you sleep, your body may need an extra dose of nicotine that may make you wake up during the night for a nicotine dose.”
Healthy sleep
According to the US National Sleep Foundation, average healthy sleeping hours for adults range from seven to nine each night.
However, Dr El-Qushayri said a healthy level of sleep varies between people. “It depends on your lifestyle, your age, sex and if you have any underlying health conditions,” he said. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach for healthy sleep. The modern use of screens and social media are also common factors that impact sleep patterns.”
Insomnia has become a symptom of modern life, with more screen time and exposure to blue light stimulation from electronic devices contributing to insomnia. Research in the UAE conducted by Premier Inn Middle East in 2024 found a third of survey respondents had irregular sleep schedules, while 41 per cent failed to sleep for more than six hours a night.
Sleep is a critical part of growth in young people, and the body’s ability to maintain and repair in adults. The American NSF suggests newborns require 14-17 hours of sleep a day, with toddlers in need of between 11 and 14 hours for healthy development. Older children aged 3-5 are recommended 10-13 hours, while those aged 6-13 should be getting 9-11 hours for optimum physical and mental health.
As we age, generally, the amount of sleep required tends to decrease. Teenagers should be aiming for 8-10 hours, with those over 65 requiring even less sleep, around seven hours.
Poor sleep is a global issue, with researchers looking for alternatives to pharmaceutical solutions which can be expensive and carry side effects.
Non-drug alternatives to sleep well
At Flinders University in Adelaide, scientists said more GPs and psychologists should encourage non-drug options, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia.
CBT is a commonly used psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems, including depression and anxiety.
Chronic insomnia is reported in about 10-15 per cent of Australian adults at any given time, said Dr Alexander Sweetman, a researcher at the university, and Clinical Sleep Technician at Flinders Medical Centre, in South Australia.
“Sleep problems are among the most common reasons patients present to their doctor in Australia,” said Dr Sweetman. “Sleeping pills are still the mainstay management option for insomnia, despite a lot of evidence suggesting that behavioural treatments are much more effective in the long-term. CBT is the most effective and recommended first-line treatment for insomnia because it treats the underlying causes of long-term insomnia without drugs and hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated its effectiveness.”
Technology is also playing an ever-growing role in the science of sleep. Health and fitness trackers offer a gateway to knowledge about personal sleeping trends, so adjustments and improvements can be made accordingly.
Eight Sleep, a sleep fitness company, recently expanded into the UAE offering its Pod technology to offer one potential solution.
It includes a smart mattress cover with advanced artificial intelligence to learn personal sleeping habits, as health-grade sensors automatically adjust cooling, heating, and elevation for optimal sleep.
“With the ability to personalise your sleep environment, it adapts to your needs in real time, helping you refine your quality of rest to stay in deep sleep for longer,” said Dr Elie Abirached, a Dubai-based expert in biohacking and longevity and founder of Limitless Human and Restore Fitness.
The Pod also tracks sleep fitness metrics – including heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and sleep stages – without requiring a wearable device.
“The UAE is making big strides in health and wellness, with Dubai becoming a central player in that growth,” said Matteo Franceschetti, the company’s co-founder and chief executive. “People here are becoming more focused on their health and are seeking better sleep solutions to improve their daily performance.”
Technology solution comes at a price
The technology has already been used by tech millionaires and professional sportsmen and women, to improve rest and maximise athletic performance, including F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and longevity guru Brian Johnson.
However, the cost of the technology may keep you up at night, with pods starting from Dh9,599.
Meanwhile, technology firm Bon Charge conducted research in the UAE to understand the demand for sleep improvement technology.
It asked 1,000 people about their sleep habits and found that 67 per cent of people struggled to get enough sleep, while 70 per cent of those asked had tried Red Light Therapy to either improve their sleep or overall health.
The technology aims to stimulate melatonin – a naturally occurring sleep hormone released at night – via red light wavelengths. The therapy is typically delivered through a face mask, or hand-held device, which costs about Dh1800.
“The UAE continues to establish itself as a global hub for longevity and wellness, with an impressive adoption of cutting-edge, science-backed solutions like red light therapy,” said Dr Cherine Bazzane, a Dubai-based family doctor, who also specialises in anti-ageing therapies. “These study findings not only highlight the growing demand for non-invasive, at-home technologies that empower individuals to prioritise wellness anywhere, anytime but also show how innovative wellness solutions can help address sleep challenges.”
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Al Montaqem, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m | Winner: Daber W’Rsan, Connor Beasley, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m | Winner: Bainoona, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: AF Makerah, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 | Winner: AF Motaghatres, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,600m | Winner: Tafakhor, Ronan Whelan, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
TOURNAMENT INFO
Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers
Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.
TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
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.
ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
TOP 5 DRIVERS 2019
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 10 wins 387 points
2 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 4 wins, 314 points
3 Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 3 wins, 260 points
4 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2 wins, 249 points
5 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1 win, 230 points
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
Abu Dhabi racecard
5pm: Maiden (Purebred Arabians); Dh80,000; 1,400m.
5.30pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,00; 1,400m.
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA); Group 3; Dh500,000; 1,600m.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Thoroughbred); Listed; Dh380,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA); Dh70,000; 1,400m.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEducatly%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohmmed%20El%20Sonbaty%2C%20Joan%20Manuel%20and%20Abdelrahman%20Ayman%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEducation%20technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%242%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEnterprise%20Ireland%2C%20Egypt%20venture%2C%20Plus%20VC%2C%20HBAN%2C%20Falak%20Startups%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
