New films, series, seasons and documentaries are coming to Netflix Middle East this month, from the much-anticipated Stranger Things 4: Volume 1 to South Korean series The Sound of Magic.
There's something for all ages, including the children, as Boss Baby brings a new season to family screens, while thriller lovers can look forward to another instalment of Spanish favourite Who Killed Sara?.
True crime buffs will also enjoy Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror, which documents efforts to take down a network of online chat rooms focused on sex crimes, as well as The Photographer: Murder in Pinamar, about a photojournalist's death that shook Argentina.
Here's what's new on Netflix this month.
'Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive'
Release date: May 3
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
This documentary follows Finnish freediver Johanna Nordblad as she attempts to set a world record for distance travelled under ice with one breath.
'The Sound of Magic'
Release date: May 6
Genre: Fantasy musical drama
Language: Korean
This new South Korean series, a fantasy musical drama, is based on Ha Il-kwon's webtoon Annarasumanara, on streaming platform Naver. Directed by Kim Sung-yoon, it tells the story of a magician living in an abandoned theme park who makes troubles disappear, and hope reappear, for a disenchanted teen enduring harsh realities.
'Welcome to Eden'
Release date: May 6
Genre: Thriller
Language: Spanish
A Spanish thriller, Welcome to Eden follows Zoa and four other young people who attend an exclusive party on a secret island. Although, what begins as a bit of fun ends up in dangerous territory as the supposed paradise is not what the group expects, and secrets and entrapments await.
'The Lincoln Lawyer'
Release date: May 13
Genre: Crime drama
Language: English
This new Netflix Original series is based on the bestselling novels by Michael Connelly and follows scrappy Los Angeles defence lawyer Mickey Haller (played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), who does legal work out of his Lincoln Town Car. When a colleague is murdered and leaves his job to Haller, the titular character is plunged into a conspiracy that all seems to revolve around one high-profile murder case. It also stars Neve Campbell.
'Bling Empire', season 2
Genre: Reality television
Language: English
Get set for a new instalment of wildly wealthy Asian and Asian-American fun-seekers who go all out with parties, glamour and drama in Los Angeles. This season there are new loves, new friends and plenty of new drama.
'Senior Year'
Release date: May 13
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Rebel Wilson stars in this new film about a cheerleading stunt gone wrong, landing the star in a 20-year coma. When she wakes up aged 37, she's ready to live out her high school dream: becoming prom queen. So she goes back to school, only to find it's changed a bit since 2002.
'Vampire in the Garden'
Release date: May 16
Genre: Anime
Language: Japanese
Anime lovers will enjoy this new series from Wit Studio that charts a fateful meeting between a human and vampire queen that might just change the world. In the divided future, two girls want to do the forbidden: the human wants to play violin, while the vampire wants to see what the rest of the planet has to offer.
'Who Killed Sara?', season 3
Release date: May 18
Genre: Thriller
Language: Spanish
This is the third and final season of Spanish thriller Who Killed Sara? And as enemies become allies the truth is finally exposed. After being framed for his sister's murder, Alex is fixated on solving the mystery: what happened to Sara and who is the real culprit?
'Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror'
Release date: May 18
Genre: True crime
Language: Korean
This new documentary uncovers the 2019 chat room atrocities that shocked South Korea. An online network run rampant with sex crimes and abuse, with teenage victims, until a hunt to take down its operators took place.
'The Photographer: Murder in Pinamar'
Release date: May 19
Genre: True crime
Language: Spanish
This documentary examines the death of photojournalist Jose Luis Cabezas, whose murder rocked Argentina, exposing a political and financial conspiracy. It's the latest work from Argentinian filmmaker Alejandro Hartmann, who was also behind documetanry Carmel: Who Killed Maria Marta.
'The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib'
Release date: May 19
Genre: Family animation
Language: English
This spin-off series picks up where the second Boss Baby film, Family Business, left off, as Nicole Byer (Nailed It!) does the voice of a tiny chief executive. Adult Ted Templeton Jr uses Tina's magical formula to turn himself back into the Boss Baby, but taking over BabyCorp is anything but child's play, as they say.
'Love, Death & Robots', volume 3
Release date: May 20
Genre: Animation
Language: English
A third instalment of the Emmy-winning animated anthology series Love, Death & Robots returns, executive-produced by Tim Miller (Deadpool) and David Fincher (Mindhunter). Uncanny worlds and twisted delights await, as stories span horror, science fiction and fantasy, all with that signature wit and innovation.
'Stranger Things 4: Volume 1'
Release date: May 27
Genre: Horror
Language: English
There's plenty to anticipate as darkness returns to Hawkins in time for spring break, triggering new terror, fresh memories and the threat of war. The creators have said this is the darkest season of Stranger Things yet.
The first volume is scheduled to be released on May 27, with the second part coming on July 1.
The%20specs
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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”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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'Cheb%20Khaled'
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Most%20polluted%20cities%20in%20the%20Middle%20East
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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Continental champions
Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)
Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)
Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)
Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)
Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)
Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)
Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation
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