Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for May 20, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.
Want to see your event listed here? Email us with the details and contact information at listings@thenational.ae
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Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Register to attend tonight's screening of the 2017 documentary Losing Sight of Shore presented by Cinema Space, as well as a Q&A with Lizanne Jansen Van Vuuren, one of the women featured in the film. The documentary focuses on the Coxless Crew, four women who set out to row, unsupported, across the Pacific Ocean from the United States to Australia over nine months.
Tonight, 7pm, free with registration, auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, cinemaspace-losingsightofshore.splashthat.com
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Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Register for the kick-off of the ladies-only series Fit & Flourish, presented by #theADmovement. The first event will be a 90-minute yin yoga session followed by a healthy four-course vegetarian iftar by Nectar Cafe, plus a discussion and Q&A with nutrition expert Suzan Terzian.
June 1, 5.30pm to 9pm, Bodytree Studio, Abu Dhabi, search Fit and Flourish in Abu Dhabi at www.eventbrite.com
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Nationwide
New movie
The Zookeeper's Wife tells the story of Antonina and Jan Zabinski (Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh), the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion. The film is based on a true story and the book of the same name by Diane Ackerman. Drama, also starring Daniel Brühl, Timothy Radford and Efrat Dor.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE. (15+)
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Abu Dhabi
Fashion event
Check out the second edition of Fashion Days Closets at Nation Towers Abu Dhabi. The event features six UAE-based designers of different nationalities and backgrounds showcasing a selection of their designs, all of which will be on sale.
Daily until Monday, 10am to 10pm, free, Nation Towers, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabifashiondays.com
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Dubai
Art tour
Sign up to take part in today’s Saturday Tours as part of Alserkal Programming and join the one-hour tour of the galleries at Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz. Meet the people running the spaces and learn more about the current exhibitions and programmes.
Today, 4pm, meet at Nadi Al Quoz, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, reservations at rsvp@alserkalavenue.ae
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Dubai
Comedy show
Enjoy an evening of laughs as the students of Dubomedy Arts School present Comedy Mid-Tape: Stand-up & Improv Comedy Special, which includes a blend of original stand-up, improv games, audience participation and special appearances by Improv Revolution troupe members.
Tonight, 7pm, free with registration, Centre for Musical Arts, Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai, register at rsvp@dubomedy.com
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Dubai
Kids’ camp
Register children ages 3 to 13 for the Gulf Star Summer Camp, where they can enjoy a variety of activities, including sports, team games, arts and crafts, drama, dance, martial arts and more.
June 25 to August 31, 9am to 2.30pm, Sundays to Thursdays, from Dh800 per week (Dh650 if booked before June 1), Foremarke School, Dovecote Green Primary School, Jebel Ali School, Hartland International School, Clarion School and Repton School, Dubai, info@gulfstarsports.com, 050 429 4860
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Dubai
Photo contest
Submit your photographs for the International Photo Contest presented by Alliance Française Dubai. Amateur photographers are invited to share two images that reflect the theme of “Fashion and Dress Codes”. A winner from the UAE will receive a trip to Paris and the winning images of the global competition will be exhibited at Alliance Française locations worldwide. The top 10 UAE winners will be shown at La Galerie at Alliance Française Dubai.
Online submissions accepted until June 22, ages 21+, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712, www.afdubai.org
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Dubai
Art exhibition
The Bruce High Quality Foundation art collective – who call themselves the Bruces – present The Second Coming. The exhibition features a central sculpture of Joan of Arc surrounded by grey-on-grey paintings of birds, a reference to Yeats's poem The Second Coming. The poem itself is recited on a speaker system and, according to the Bruces, the exhibition and literary work are about immigration. Pictured: Spiritus Mundi
Daily until June 4, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 831 3520, www.leilahellergallery.com
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Dubai
Art exhibition
See Illuminated Space, an exhibition of abstract paintings by Samia Halaby. The artists draws inspiration from the contours of living organisms, such as soft edges of plant life, as well as the interplay of light in an urban environment. Pictured: Flowers
Daily until June 17, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays; noon to 6pm on Saturdays (closed Fridays), Ayyam Gallery, 11 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 323 6242, www.ayyamgallery.com
listings@thenational.ae
Sri Lanka's T20I squad
Thisara Perera (captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chathuranga de Silva.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Wellington Hurricanes:
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett
British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Mobile phone packages comparison
Haemoglobin disorders explained
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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CREW
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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”
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
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
