A documentary of Lebanon's tragic August 4 port blast, the final season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and a feel-good animation about love and music: these are only a few of what UAE viewers can expect to come to their small screens throughout August.
Here we take a look at 16 of the best new series, seasons and films that are coming out this month on streaming platforms Netflix, Starzplay, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and OSN Streaming.
‘Beirut Blast: The Story of Warehouse 12’
Release date: August 4
Platform: OSN Streaming
This new documentary will air exclusively on OSN Streaming and recounts the Beirut port blast, a year after it happened. It’s told through 30 interviews and footage of the event and aftermath. We find out from protagonists where they were, what happened to them, their family and friends, and what happened next.
‘Cooking with Paris’
Release date: August 4
Platform: Netflix
She popularised the catchphrase "that's hot" more than two decades ago, and now Paris Hilton will soon revive it while in the kitchen for her new TV cooking series. Following on from the viral sensation of her YouTube video, Cooking with Paris, in which she cooked a lasagne without the flair of a celebrity chef, Hilton has been tapped by Netflix to create a series documenting her off-beat kitchen antics.
"She's turning the traditional cooking show upside down," says Netflix . "She's not a trained chef and she's not trying to be. With the help of her celebrity friends, she navigates new ingredients, new recipes and exotic kitchen appliances. Inspired by her viral YouTube video, Paris will take us from the grocery store to the finished table spread – and she might actually learn her way around the kitchen.”
‘Navarasa’
Release date: August 6
Platform: Netflix
The nine episodes of this Tamil-language anthology will represent anger, compassion, courage, disgust, fear, laughter, love, peace and wonder – the human emotions evoked during the Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam. Navarasa is created by director Mani Ratnam in collaboration with filmmaker Jayendra Panchapakesan.
'Mr Corman'
Release date: August 6
Platform: Apple TV+
This darkly funny new series follows the days and nights of Josh Corman, a musician at heart but fifth-grade teacher by trade. He's split from his fiance, and has a school buddy move in. And while he knows he still has plenty to be thankful for, Corman struggles with anxiety, loneliness and self doubt. It's a relatable comedy-drama written, directed, produced by and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt that's likely to appeal to the new generation of 30-somethings.
‘Vivo’
Release date: August 6
Platform: Netflix
This animated musical adventure features new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the award-winning composer of Broadway shows Hamilton and In the Heights. It follows a kinkajou, or rainforest "honey bear", voiced by Miranda, who spends his days playing music to crowds in a lively square with his owner Andres (voiced by Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos). When Andres receives a letter from Marta Sandoval (played by Gloria Estefan), inviting her old partner to reconnect, Vivo decides to make sure she hears a love song Andres had hidden all these years.
‘Animal Kingdom’, season 5
Release date: August 8
Platform: OSN Streaming
Just after its US debut, the fifth season of this series comes to the UAE. It centres on Joshua J Cody, 17, who moves in with relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mothers dies of a drug overdose. His grandmother heads a clan, and soon he gets involved with his cousins and their criminal activities.
‘The Kissing Booth 3’
Release date: August 11
Platform: Netflix
The third instalment of this beloved romcom series takes place the summer before Elle heads to college, and she’s trying to find an answer to the hardest question she’s ever faced: should she move cross country with boyfriend Noah or keep her lifelong promise to go to college with best friend Lee? Either way, someone’s heart is about to get broken.
‘AlRawabi School for Girls’
Release date: August 12
Platform: Netflix
Netflix’s second Arabic Original series tells the story of a bullied high school girl who gathers a group of outcasts to plot the perfect revenge to get back at their tormentors. “The fictional world of AlRawabi is filled with drama and secrets and shares the challenges that girls face during this critical stage in their lives,” Netflix says.
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Release date: August 13
Platform: OSN Streaming
The day after it airs in the US, the final season of beloved cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine comes to the UAE. After a delay because of the pandemic, loveable NYPD colleagues Jake, Amy, Rosa, Holy, Charles, Terry, Hitchcock and Scully are all back for “one last ride”, as they pick up where they left off in season seven.
'Coda'
Release date: August 13
Platform: Apple TV+
In this Sundance Grand Jury Prize Award-winning film Ruby, 17, is the only hearing member of a deaf family, or a Coda, child of deaf adults. She acts as an interpreter for her parents, working on the family's struggling fishing boat every day before school. When she joins her high school choir club, however, she discovers her gift for singing and finds herself torn between family duties and her own dreams.
‘Heels’
Release date: August 15
Platform: Starzplay
This drama series follows two rival brothers, one a ring heel (aka villain) and the other a hero (or “face”), who grapple over their father’s wrestling promotion business after he dies. All the while, they’re also vying for national attention from small-town Georgia.
'Nine Perfect Strangers'
Release date: August 20
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
This eight-part drama series starring Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy is based on The New York Times bestselling book Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. Filmed in Australia, it's set at a boutique health and wellness resort that promises healing and transformation. Nine strangers embark on a 10-day retreat, but they've no idea what's about to hit them.
The first three episodes will premiere on August 20, with the rest to be released weekly thereafter.
‘Sweet Girl’
Release date: August 20
Platform: Netflix
In this new action thriller, Jason Mamoa plays a grieving family man, Ray Cooper, who is out to get revenge against Big Pharma after they pulled potentially life-saving drugs from the market and his wife (Adria Arjona) dies from cancer. In his search for the truth, Ray and his daughter Rachel (Isabela Merced) are put in harm’s way, and his quest for vengeance turns into a mission in protection.
‘The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf’
Release date: August 23
Platform: Netflix
This much-anticipated 2D South Korean-American anime film is a spin-off from Netflix series The Witcher, and focuses on the origin story of Gerald’s mentor Vesemir, a young witcher who delights in slaying monsters. But when a dangerous new power rises on the Continent, he learns some jobs are about more than just money.
‘American Horror Story: Double Feature’
Release date: August 26
Platform: OSN Streaming
The 10th season of American Horror Story will air on OSN Streaming in the UAE one day after its global premiere. It’s divided into two parts: one by the sea, the other by the sand, Red Tide and Death Valley. Not much is known about the plot, other than what we’ve gleaned from a very creepy and mysterious promo that seems to star aliens. There will be 10 new episodes, each being released every Thursday.
‘He’s All That’
Release date: August 27
Platform: Netflix
This gender-swapped reimagining of 1999 teen classic She’s All That sees TikTok star Addison Rae make her acting debut. It follows an influencer who accepts a challenge to turn the school’s biggest nerd, played by Tanner Buchanan (Cobra Kai, Designated Survivor), into prom king.
Read more
Chinese streaming service iQiyi aims to be the go-to for Asian programming in the UAE
The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aaron%20Horvath%20and%20Michael%20Jelenic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Anya%20Taylor-Joy%2C%20Charlie%20Day%2C%20Jack%20Black%2C%20Seth%20Rogen%20and%20Keegan-Michael%20Key%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%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.”
MAIN CARD
Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka
Stats at a glance:
Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)
Number in service: 6
Complement 191 (space for up to 285)
Top speed: over 32 knots
Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles
Length 152.4 m
Displacement: 8,700 tonnes
Beam: 21.2 m
Draught: 7.4 m
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Ads on social media can 'normalise' drugs
A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.
The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.
Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.
Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.
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
Avatar%3A%20The%20Way%20of%20Water
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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
