Al Ain
Performance
Attend a performance of Nanta, which was the first Asian musical to debut on Broadway, as part of Korea Festival 2017. The non-verbal show features kitchen utensils, including knives, used as percussion instruments. Combined with a comedic stage show about another busy day in the kitchen, enjoy an acrobatic cooking event with a surprise wedding and a dumpling challenge.
Today, 5pm, CEC in Al Ain, free, register to attend at www.koreafestivaluae.com
Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Cinema Space presents a screening of the Korean film A Taxi Driver as part of Korean Film Days in collaboration with the Korean Arab Society, Korean Cultural Center and Cinema Akil. The film is based on a true story set in 1980. Man-seob is a taxi driver in Seoul, a widower who is raising his young daughter. He takes a foreign journalist to the town of Gwangju, where the citizens are rising up against the military government, leading to a life-or-death situation for Man-seob and his fare.
Tonight, 7.30pm, free with registration, Cinema Space, auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com
Abu Dhabi
Fitness classes
Bodytree Studio presents two new classes to the signature Bodytree Body programme. BTB Shred with Anissa takes strength to the next level, using heavier weights in a circuit structure, ending with active recovery. BTB Bounce with Anya is a metabolic-supporting exercise that involves toning and cardio on a trampoline. Registration is required for BTB Bounce.
Sundays, 9.45am to 10.45am for BTB Shred; Tuesdays, 8.45am to 9.45am for BTB Bounce, Dh90 per class, Bodytree Studio, Abu Dhabi, 02 443 4448, info@bodytreestudio.com
Abu Dhabi
Exhibition
See the exhibition Inventing Downtown: Artist-Run Galleries in New York City, 1952-1965, which examines the New York art scene, from the abstract expressionism in the 1950s to the pop-art and minimalism of the 1960s. The establishment of artist-run galleries saw artists expanding downtown Manhattan towards the industrial areas, thus acquiring spaces that shaped the creation and exhibition of their art. See more than 200 works by more than 50 artists including installation and performance art.
Daily until January 13, noon to 8pm (closed Sundays), NYUAD Art Gallery, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.nyuad-artgallery.org
Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Run the 884 steps of the National Stadium at Zayed Sports City at TrainZSC presented by Daman ActiveLife. The weekly vertical training sessions are a great workout that starts with a warm-up, ends with a cool-down and includes an optional fitness challenge at each quadrant focusing on arms and core. There will also be a bouncy castle for the little ones to enjoy, and free BMI screenings.
Mondays, 6pm to 9pm, free with registration, ages 12+, National Stadium, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, register at trainzsc.com
Dubai
Open call
The International Women Photographers Award (IWPA) has issued an open call for entries for the 2018 competitions under the theme of Visible-Invisible and a free theme. The IWPA is organised in collaboration with Alliance Francaise Dubai and Canon Middle East, and is open to women photographers from all over the world. The works of 11 shortlisted candidates will be on display at La Galerie starting in March.
Submissions open until December 15, age 18+, Alliance Francaise Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, www.iwpa.fr
Dubai
Comedy show
Buy tickets to see comedian Jason Manford as he launches his Muddle Class tour in Dubai on New Year's Eve. The British comedian returns with an intimate gig, in which he explores life growing up working class. Then ring in the new year with DJ Gail playing top hits, plus a view of the fireworks. Additional shows will take place in Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.
December 31, doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8.30pm, from Dh195, Al Thuray Ballroom, Grand Millennium Barsha Heights, Dubai; January 4, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa, Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah; January 5, Ballroom, Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi, www.thelaughterfactory.com
Dubai
Informational talk
Attend an informational talk with the organisation Gulf for Good about their 2018 challenges that take place overseas and support children's charities. Ask questions about the challenges, how to join, the fitness factor and more with likeminded adventurers.
Tonight, from 7.30pm, Adventure HQ, Times Square, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 368 0222, marketing@gulf4good.org
Dubai
Exhibition
Egyptian photographer Habby Khalil presents the exhibition Raya and Sakina at The Empty Quarter. The artist explores the story of Alexandria's most infamous killers, Raya and Sakina, in black and white images symbolising the eternal conflict and interdependence between different beliefs. Pictured: Confession
Daily until January 11, 10am to 7pm, Sundays to Thursdays (closed Fridays and Saturdays), The Empty Quarter, Building 2, DIFC Gate Village, Dubai, 04 323 1210, www.theemptyquarter.com
Dubai
Culinary event
Book tickets to attend The Night of the Stars as part of the 9th Italian Cuisine World Summit, presented by the Italian Embassy. Enjoy a dining experience prepared by 15 Michelin-starred chefs from Italy and around the world, as well as live cooking, demonstrations and more.
Wednesday, from 7.30pm, from Dh490 per person, The Penthouse, Five Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 455 9988, fpjd@fivehotelsandresorts.com
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young