The Middle Eastern spin-off of reality show Love is Blind is here, featuring a cast of singles looking for their life partners. Meanwhile, Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Alfonso Cuaron are teaming up for a thriller that's already earning rave reviews. And romcom fans can watch out for a new film pairing Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth.
For music fans, Charli XCX is launching an extended version of her viral album Brat, and Becky G has a new Spanish album.
Here are some of the latest music, movies and shows to stream this week.
New shows to stream
Love is Blind Habibi (Netflix)
The regional adaptation of Love is Blind brings together a diverse group of singles from across the Arab world, each with their own unique stories and backgrounds. Similar to the international versions, the 20 cast members from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Iraq, will try to find genuine connections, fall in love and get engaged, all before they've even met.
The nine-episode series will be hosted by Saudi celebrity couple Elham Ali and Khaled Saqer, and was extensively shot in Dubai.
Citadel: Diana (Prime Video)
More than a year after the American version fronted by Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden was released, Citadel's first spin-off is ready. Set in Italy, Citadel: Diana follows Diana Cavalieri (Matilda De Angelis), a member of the independent spy agency Citadel, which was destroyed by a powerful syndicate called Manticore. Alone and trapped behind enemy lines, Diana's only chance to disappear and save herself is by trusting Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), the heir of Manticore Italy.
The high-octane action thriller will be followed by an Indian spin-off, starring Bollywood stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, which will have its premiere on November 7. Citadel was created by the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joseph, best known for their Marvel movies. The original show with Chopra Jonas and Madden, which aired in April, is one of Prime Video's most viewed original shows.
Sweetpea (OSN+)
Based on the bestselling book of the same name, this dark comedy-drama follows Rhiannon. Her quiet life working as an office manager and living with her boyfriend and dog is thrown into chaos when a bully from her past life returns to haunt her.
English actress Ella Purnell, best known for her role in the Emmy-nominated Yellowjackets, plays the lead.
Teacup (OSN+)
Inspired by horror writer Robert R McCammon's book Stinger, this new show is set in an isolated ranch in rural Georgia, US, where a group of neighbours must put aside their differences and band together against a mysterious and deadly threat.
James Wan, known for the Saw and Conjuring movies, serves as one of the executive producers on the show.
Disclaimer (Apple TV+)
Hollywood powerhouses Blanchett and Cuaron, director of acclaimed films such as Gravity and Roma, collaborate on this psychological thriller based on a book of the same name by Renee Knight. Blanchett plays a renowned journalist whose life is upended when she discovers she's the central character in a new book, which reveals a dark secret she has tried to keep hidden.
The show's ensemble cast includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville and Kodi Smit-McPhee, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 2021 film The Power of the Dog. South Korean actress Jung Ho-yeon, best known for her role in Squid Game, also stars.
New movies to stream
Ibn El Hajj Ahmad (October 11, OSN+)
This Egyptian comedy follows Ahmed who's helping his father run a supermarket. One day, he discovers that his father is actually a former secret agent and a gang has been sent to eliminate him. With the help of his friend Nabila, Ahmed embarks on an action-packed adventure that does not always go as planned.
The Last of the Sea Women (Apple TV+)
For centuries, the haenyeo (divers) of South Korea’s Jeju Island have been renowned for reaching the ocean floor – without oxygen – to harvest seafood for their livelihood.
Often called real-life mermaids, most haenyeo are now in their sixties, seventies and eighties, with their traditions and way of life facing multiple oceanic threats. This documentary follows these fierce women as they partner with the younger generation in a fight to revive their ancestral lifestyle through social media. The film looks at their tight-knit friendships, independence and sense of empowerment, resulting in an uplifting tale of women taking on world powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspire a new generation.
Lonely Planet (Netflix)
Susannah Grant, the writer of the Oscar-nominated film Erin Brockovich, directs this romcom, starring Dern and Hemsworth in the lead. Dern plays a reclusive novelist who arrives at a writer’s retreat in Morocco, hoping the remote setting will unlock her writer’s block. There, she meets a young man, which turns into a life-altering love affair.
"With Lonely Planet, I wanted to make a film about the transformational power of travel," Grant said. "How sometimes journeying thousands of miles away from everything you know about your life can make you see it, and yourself, in a revealing new light.
"Lonely Planet is a testament to the power of letting go of the familiar – a reminder of how much can be learned by forgetting everything you thought you knew."
New music to stream
Becky G's Encuentros
A follow-up to last year's album Esquinas, the American-Mexican pop star continues her work in Mexicana music with her fourth Spanish record. Translated to "encounters", Becky G said she's fulfilling a hunger that started when she was working on Esquinas.
"My last album started a fire within my creative soul that brought new colours to my world, and deep down inside I knew I couldn’t stop there … so I didn’t," she wrote on Instagram in August when announcing the album. "Since last year, I continued discovering, feeling, healing and creating. All of the parts of me that I found along the way, I have now poured into this album with so much love and dedication. You guys said you wanted more, and so did I."
Charli XCX's Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat
"Brat summer" may be over but Charli XCX is not quite done with her hit album, which was released in June. She's releasing a deluxe, double-album version of Brat, where each of the 16 tracks is remixed with new artists. And it's raining A-listers, with names such as Ariana Grande, Tinashe, Billie Eilish, Lorde, Troye Sivan and Robyn involved.
The commercially and critically successful Brat is the British singer's sixth album and her biggest album to date.
Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken
Known for his soulful voice, country-rock singer Jelly Roll's latest album is inspired by his coming tour. While many know him from his multiple award-winning album Whitsitt Chapel, which he released last year, Beautifully Broken is the Nashville native's 10th studio album.
Having been in and out of jail 40 times before turning his life around, Jelly Roll's searing lyrics about adversity, addiction and suffering have won him fans around the world. Beautifully Broken looks set to continue in a similar vein, with tracks so far released including I Am Not Okay, Get By, Liar and Winning Streak.
More Iraq election coverage:
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
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
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.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
SANCTIONED
- Kirill Shamalov, Russia's youngest billionaire and previously married to Putin's daughter Katarina
- Petr Fradkov, head of recently sanctioned Promsvyazbank and son of former head of Russian Foreign Intelligence, the FSB.
- Denis Bortnikov, Deputy President of Russia's largest bank VTB. He is the son of Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB which was responsible for the poisoning of political activist Alexey Navalny in August 2020 with banned chemical agent novichok.
- Yury Slyusar, director of United Aircraft Corporation, a major aircraft manufacturer for the Russian military.
- Elena Aleksandrovna Georgieva, chair of the board of Novikombank, a state-owned defence conglomerate.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points