Fans of 'Stranger Things' have been waiting for more than two years for a new season of the show. Photo: Netflix
Fans of 'Stranger Things' have been waiting for more than two years for a new season of the show. Photo: Netflix
Fans of 'Stranger Things' have been waiting for more than two years for a new season of the show. Photo: Netflix
Fans of 'Stranger Things' have been waiting for more than two years for a new season of the show. Photo: Netflix

10 highlights from Netflix's Tudum event: from 'Stranger Things' to 'The Witcher'


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Netflix held its first Tudum on Saturday. The three-hour event was live-streamed and featured a lot of content as well as announcements and previews for coming shows.

In addition to teaser trailers, first looks and exclusive clips – the dates of when shows such as Tiger King (November 17), Emily in Paris (December 22) and Cobra Kai (December 31) would return were also announced.

While it may be a lot to take in, we’ve made it easier by picking the 10 biggest announcements to get excited over from the event.

‘Stranger Things’ new teaser trailer

After more than two years since season 3 aired, Netflix teased a return to Stranger Things by revealing a new teaser trailer. At just over a minute-and-a-half, the new clip introduces the Creel House in the 1950s, where a family moves in, with Ella Fitzgerald’s Dream A Little Dream of Me playing in the background.

Things then get progressively worse with lights mysteriously flickering, dead animals and what eventually appears to be a family murder. Fast forward a few decades later, and Steve, Dustin, Max and Lucas are exploring the house, now covered in cobwebs and dust.

While there’s been no exact date announced yet for season four, it is expected to be released sometime in 2022.

‘The Crown’ season 5 date announcement

Fresh off of winning Outstanding Drama Series at the Emmys, Netflix announced that The Crown season five would premiere in November 2022.

The award-winning show will return with an entirely new cast playing the British royal family, including Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Dominic West as Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, and Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles. Jonny Lee Miller will also appear as prime minister John Major.

Rather than a first look or teaser trailer, the 45-second video showed Staunton sitting at the Queen’s desk on set announcing the premiere date while also praising Clare Foy and Olivia Colman, the actresses who previously played Queen Elizabeth on the show.

'Money Heist' exclusive clip from last half of final season

With just five episodes left in the hit Spanish show, Netflix revealed a first look at the second part of the season five, which will air on Friday, December 3.

After ending the first part of season five on a cliffhanger and with the death of a major character, the exclusive clip picks up with the team still trapped inside the Mint of Spain. It shows that The Professor has seemingly left them or is no longer around to help, causing some mild panic about how they will escape and what they should do with the gold.

The scene shows Lisbon, Palermo, Denver, Stockholm, Manila and Rio discussing whether they should use the 90 tonnes of gold they melted from the bank to escape, or leave it behind and save their lives.

Fourth and final season of 'Ozark'

Ozark fans were in for a treat as the streaming platform not only revealed a first look at the fourth and final season but also announced that the 14-episodes that made it up would be split into two parts, coming in 2022. The new clip picked up right after season 3’s shocking finale, showing a bloody Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) and his wife, Wendy (Laura Linney) in Mexico.

The Emmy-winning Netflix Original tells the story of a talented financial adviser (Bateman) who gets roped into laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel. He drags his wife (Linney) and their two children from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where they plan to open a casino.

Kanye West documentary ‘Jeen-Yuhs’

Netflix also announced a documentary about Kanye West was on the way by sharing a clip. While no specific release date was announced, it is set to come to the streaming platform sometime in 2022. The film was reportedly acquired for roughly $30 million and has been in the making for 21 years. It features rare and never-before-seen footage of the rapper, including home videos.

First look at ‘Bridgerton’ season 2

The wildly popular period romance returns and this time with a focus on a different Bridgerton. Fans of the Shonda Rhimes-produced show were introduced to a new character Kate Sharma, played by Simone Ashley during the first look clip. The new season will focus on eldest son Anthony Bridgerton and his quest to find a suitable partner.

First look at ‘The Sandman’ live-action adaptation

Neil Gaiman’s comic book The Sandman is being turned into a live-action series and fans got a first look at the coming show during the event. In the nearly one-minute video, a pivotal scene is shown of an occult ritual capturing Morpheus (aka Dream, played by Tom Sturridge) and sets the story for the show in motion. The first season will contain 10 episodes, although a release date has not yet been announced.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ opening sequence

Live-action anime remakes have not always hit the mark, but that hasn’t stopped Netflix from trying with Cowboy Bebop.

The popular anime, which first premiered in Japan in 1998, has been widely acclaimed with some calling it one of the greatest anime series ever. Netflix unveiled the opening credits scene for the show, with fans applauding how well it compared to the animated version.

Cowboy Bebop takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in 2071 and follows a crew of bounty hunters as they chase down the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals. The series stars John Cho, Mustafa Shakir and Daniella Pineda. The show will premiere on Friday, November 19.

‘Don’t Look Up’ exclusive clip

A new clip from the platform’s anticipated film Don’t Look Up was also shown. The film features a star-studded cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Chris Evans, Timothee Chalamet, Cate Blanchett and Ariana Grande among others.

In the video, DiCaprio and Lawrence play two low-level astronomers who try to convince the US president (Streep) and her Chief of Staff (Hill) that a comet is fast approaching Earth and to warn mankind. The clip offers another look at the talent-filled satire film which will be released on Friday, December 10.

'The Witcher' season 2 trailers and teasers

It was a big day for The Witcher. During the event, Netflix announced that the fantasy drama, which stars Henry Cavill, was renewed for a third season while also previewing the second season and announcing an anime film and a spin-off aimed and children and families were in the works too.

The first teaser trailer shows Cavill’s Geralt conversing with a monster pal about what he really needs to tell Ciri. The other clip also features Geralt and Ciri as they drink elixer and prepare for battle.

The second season will hit Netflix on Friday, December 17.

The show first aired back in December 2019, so fans have been patiently waiting for quite a while.

Results

2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.

3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.

4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.

5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.

RACECARD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E6pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Land%20Forces%20-%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(Dirt)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.35pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20Naval%20Forces%20-%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.10pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sharjah%20Air%20Force%20-%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAjman%20Presidential%20Guard%20-%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh95%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.20pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%20Creek%20Mile%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20Dh132%2C500%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.55pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUmm%20Al%20Quwain%20and%20Ras%20Al%20Khaimah%20Joint%20Aviation%20-%20Rated%20Conditions%20(TB)%20Dh95%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E9.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fujairah%20National%20Service%20and%20Reserve%20-%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450

Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000

Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

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Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.

 

An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.

 

This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.

 
Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

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

RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Apple's%20Lockdown%20Mode%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3EAt%20launch%2C%20Lockdown%20Mode%20will%20include%20the%20following%20protections%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMessages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Most%20attachment%20types%20other%20than%20images%20are%20blocked.%20Some%20features%2C%20like%20link%20previews%2C%20are%20disabled%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWeb%20browsing%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Certain%20complex%20web%20technologies%2C%20like%20just-in-time%20JavaScript%20compilation%2C%20are%20disabled%20unless%20the%20user%20excludes%20a%20trusted%20site%20from%20Lockdown%20Mode%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20services%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIncoming%20invitations%20and%20service%20requests%2C%20including%20FaceTime%20calls%2C%20are%20blocked%20if%20the%20user%20has%20not%20previously%20sent%20the%20initiator%20a%20call%20or%20request%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wired%20connections%20with%20a%20computer%20or%20accessory%20are%20blocked%20when%20an%20iPhone%20is%20locked%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConfigurations%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Configuration%20profiles%20cannot%20be%20installed%2C%20and%20the%20device%20cannot%20enroll%20into%20mobile%20device%20management%20while%20Lockdown%20Mode%20is%20on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

England v New Zealand (Saturday, 12pm)

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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.”

Updated: September 26, 2021, 2:37 PM