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.
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
The%20specs
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier
Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
- Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
- Oman v Hong Kong, no result
Tuesday fixtures:
- Malaysia v Singapore
- UAE v Oman
- Nepal v Hong Kong
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Turkey's Syria offence
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Andor
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
ARGYLLE
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