If the explosive first season of Love is Blind Habibi is anything to go by, fans can expect even more fireworks soon, as the cast has begun teasing a potential reunion show that could release soon on Netflix.
The Arab version of the reality show and social experiment, Love is Blind, has been a runaway success for the streaming service since its debut on October 10. The show features 20 singles from across the Arab world – 10 men and 10 women – who are looking to find love but who have to choose their partners without seeing each other first. Love is Blind Habibi has been viewed more than 1.3 million times as of last week. It's also ranked No 8 globally on Netflix's non-English shows chart.
The show was mostly filmed in Lebanon, including the location of the pods – through which participants interact with each other but do not see each other – as well as the resort where the engaged couples get to know each other in person. Scenes were also shot in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – where most of the cast members reside – including the dramatic final wedding scenes.
While members of the cast have spoken about filming a reunion episode on their social media channels, Netflix has not officially announced the episode, nor a potential release date.
In the meantime, here's what happened in Love is Blind Habibi.
Note: Spoiler warning for those who have not watched the entire show
Of the 20 singles introduced at the beginning of the show, six found their partners and got engaged. The couples were then transported to a luxury resort where they spent more time with each other and also met other participants for the first time.
But the true test of their relationship came when they went back to their daily lives, where they met each other's families and friends. Filmed more than a year ago, fans will have to wait for a reunion to find out which couples are still together and who have decided to go their separate ways.
Here's what to expect if Love is Blind Habibi does announce one.
Karma and Ammar
Connecting over their shared love of music and sense of humour, Tunisian business owner Karma and Syrian dentist Ammar hit it off right from the start. They quickly become inseparable throughout the show, each ignoring the other suitors.
However, following their engagement and as they got to know each other more at the resort, Ammar's beliefs clashed with that of Karma's independent views. A passionate dancer, Karma was uncomfortable with Ammar's stance that he would never allow his wife to dance.
While they tried to sort out their differences, Karma eventually called the relationship off, choosing to follow her lifelong passion rather than give it up for someone else.
Hajar and Simo
After a few tense interactions with other participants, Moroccan business owner Simo found his vibe with fashion entrepreneur Hajar, who is also from Morocco. But even as sparks flew between the two, they did not see eye-to-eye on many things, leading to a few fiery exchanges.
A defining moment came during a segment at the resort where they met other participants for the first time. Simo almost came to blows with fellow participant Chafic during a heated argument, forcing Hajar to rethink her feelings for him. Simo chided Hajar for not standing up for him and suddenly exited the show.
Will Simo make a comeback to explain himself?
Asma and Khatab
Egyptian entrepreneur and marketing director Asma and Iraqi-Canadian architect and DJ Khatab connected over their shared values and their plans for the future. But after the couple met for the first time, Asma had a change of heart and decided not to move forward to the next phase of the experiment.
But in a twist, the couple returned to join other participants at the resort. It was all smooth sailing until Asma was unable to get the blessings of her parents because of the speed of their relationship. On their wedding day, Asma left Khatab at the altar, saying: "Today is not the decisive day." But she assured him she was still committed to the relationship.
Dounia and Chafic
While still getting to know each other through the pods, Lebanese entrepreneur Chafic dramatically professed his love to Saudi-Moroccan content creator Dounia by yelling her name from the men's lounge, causing a rift with other participants he connected with.
The couple got engaged soon thereafter, but after an awkward interaction at the resort involving Noor, who knew Chafic before the show, their relationship is tested. Back in the real world, Chafic and Dounia eventually decided they weren't the right fit and broke up before their wedding day.
Have they sorted their differences or have they remained apart?
Noor and Mido
The relationship between Egyptian real estate consultant Mido and Lebanese model Noor was shaky from the start. Coming together after their respective primary connections got engaged to other people, the couple quickly found out at the resort that they had very little in common.
A dramatic break-up soon followed, with Mido convinced Noor still has feelings for Chafic. "We're very different. Better to go different ways than disrespecting each other," Mido tells Noor. To which she replies: "Yeah, good."
Another meeting between the two is sure to be one to watch.
Safa and Mohammed
As the only couple to make it down the aisle, Iraqi finance manager Safa and Jordanian marketing manager Mohammed were meant to be. Although they faced challenges in the real world, they eventually sorted their differences, gained the blessings of both their families and said yes to a lifetime together.
But since the show's premiere, some eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that the couple, who are both active on social media, do not even follow each other on Instagram.
Will Love is Blind Habibi be renewed for season two?
While Netflix has not officially renewed the show for a second season, the show's initial success bodes well for the future.
If the show does return, it will feature a whole new cast looking to see if love is truly blind, as the first season's stars are left to continue their respective journeys privately – or on their personal social media channels, if they so choose.
Love is Blind Habibi season one is now streaming on Netflix
Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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Du Plessis plans his retirement
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.
Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.
"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday.
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets