Last-minute Eid getaways in the Seychelles, Doha and Abu Dhabi

Seychelles

Perfect for relaxation thanks to its beautiful beaches, the archipelago of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean is a favourite Eid Al Adha destination. Emirates Holidays has a number of packages available in family friendly resorts and romantic hideaways. Save 30 per cent on a three-night break staying in a hillside villa overlooking the beach at Cerf Island Resort on Mahé, just three kilometres from the international airport. Until October 31, prices start from Dh6,199 per person based on two people sharing a twin room, return economy flights, meet and assist on arrival, private airport transfers, and taxes. To book, visit www.emiratesholidays.com or call 800 5252.

Doha

The quirky W Doha Hotel is offering a 20 per cent discount on a second, connecting room this Eid when you book a "Spectacular" room for 975 Qatari rials (Dh983) per night, including breakfast for two, an early check in at 11am and a late check out at 6pm, and Wi-Fi access. Guests can also take advantage of a 20 per cent discount on selected treatments at the Bliss spa and a shopping voucher worth 100 rials (Dh100). Upgrade to a W Suite for 2,900 rials (Dh2,925) per night, or a spacious two-bedroom serviced apartment - also ideal for families - for 1,800 rials (Dh1,815) per night. There is a two-night minimum stay. For more details, go to www.whoteldoha.com.

London to Abu Dhabi

Rocco Forte, the London-based luxury hotel chain, is offering guests at any of its 12 properties in Europe and the Middle East a complimentary night's stay when booking for three nights or more until the first weekend of November. During Eid, families who book three nights or more can also book a second room half price for up to two children. The "Eid Family Celebration Offer" also includes 10 per cent off dining and spa treatments, an early check in and late check out and half price menus for children under 12. For more information, including prices at different properties, visit www.roccofortehotels.com.

Abu Dhabi

This Eid choose between a short break in the Liwa desert at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort or a city break at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, both managed by Anantara. Eastern Mangroves has just launched its Big Weekend package, valid for stays on a Thursday or Friday night in a deluxe balcony room. The offer costs Dh1,392 for one night and includes brunch for two, a buffet breakfast and taxes. In addition to fine dining, guests at Qasr Al Sarab can enjoy a number of activities including camel treks, archery and desert dune drives. It costs from Dh2,088 for two, staying in a deluxe garden room, including breakfast and taxes. Call 02 656 1177.

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

War on waste

Campaigners call for UAE supermarkets to charge for plastic bags

UAE's takeaway culture sparks environmental concern

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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 banned).

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.

The specs

Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed auto

0-100kmh 2.3 seconds

0-200kmh 5.5 seconds

0-300kmh 11.6 seconds

Power: 1500hp

Torque: 1600Nm

Price: Dh13,400,000

On sale: now

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