Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx play former spies whose cover is blown in Back In Action. Photo: Netflix
Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx play former spies whose cover is blown in Back In Action. Photo: Netflix
Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx play former spies whose cover is blown in Back In Action. Photo: Netflix
Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx play former spies whose cover is blown in Back In Action. Photo: Netflix

New shows, movies and music to stream, from Pataal Lok season two to Cameron Diaz's first film in 10 years


  • English
  • Arabic

Many beloved shows return this week on multiple platforms, from the critically acclaimed Indian series Pataal Lok, back nearly five years after its debut, to Apple TV+’s sci-fi psychological thriller Severance. Plus, Cameron Diaz is making a comeback in her first film since 2014's Annie.

For fans of Mac Miller, his seventh album, Balloonerism, will be the second project to be released since his death in 2018.

Here are some of the latest films, shows and music to stream, as well as new video games to play.

New shows to stream

Pataal Lok, season two (Prime Video)

Jaideep Ahlawat as Hathiram Chaudhary in season two of Pataal Lok. Photo: Prime Video
Jaideep Ahlawat as Hathiram Chaudhary in season two of Pataal Lok. Photo: Prime Video

It has been nearly five years since this Hindi language crime thriller premiered and earned rave audience and critical reviews for its unflinching portrayal of India. The first season centred around a cynical cop, Hathiram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat), who gets assigned to investigate a high-profile case. Spinning into various threads, it delved into crime, politics, religion and the still-prevalent caste and class systems, all the while delivering a binge-worthy taut thriller.

In season two of Pataal Lok, Hathiram returns to solve another case, but this time in Nagaland, in India's north-east, a region with its own unique people and problem that has rarely been portrayed on screen.

Severance, season two (Apple TV+)

Adam Scott and Britt Lower in season two of Severance. Photo: Apple TV+
Adam Scott and Britt Lower in season two of Severance. Photo: Apple TV+

Debuting in 2022, Severance's original premise and gripping narrative has made it a huge success. In a daring experiment in work-life balance, a biotechnology company separates the consciousness of its employees, splitting them between their work personalities, called Innies, and their outside lives or Outies.

Separation between the two distinct personalities is strictly enforced, meaning all employees experience two completely separate lives. But when one employee, Mark (Adam Scott), begins to notice an overlap between his Innie and Outie personalities, things begin to unravel.

Part-sci-fi, part mystery, season two will hope to unpack many questions raised in the final episode of the first season, including the reappearance of some of the characters believed to be long dead. And Mark and his friends are set to learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier.

XO, Kitty, season two (Netflix)

Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey, left, and Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon in season two of XO, Kitty. Photo: Netflix
Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey, left, and Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon in season two of XO, Kitty. Photo: Netflix

A spin-off of Netflix's To All the Boys movie franchise, XO, Kitty centres on the film's lead character Lara Jean Song Covey's younger sister Katherine, or Kitty (Anna Cathcart). Set in South Korea, Kitty's mother's country of birth, season one followed the teenager and obsessive matchmaker as she navigated the travails of love, loss and friendships.

In season two, she returns to her school in Seoul, despite being expelled at the end of the first season, armed with much more confidence about who she is as a young woman. Netflix promises plenty of new faces, new crushes and more drama.

Young, Famous & African, season three (Netflix)

South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote in season three of Young Famous & African. Photo: Netflix
South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote in season three of Young Famous & African. Photo: Netflix

From Dubai Bling to Bling Empire, Netflix has monopolised the reality show concept when it comes to the lives of the rich and famous. First released in 2022, Young, Famous & African follows a crew of famous and rich celebrities as they work, play, flirt and feud in Johannesburg, South Africa. And there's enough bling and drama to go around.

New cast members for season three include South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote, Nigerian filmmaker Ini Edo and Ugandan businessman Shakib Lutaaya, who join returning members including Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz, Nigerian actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia and Nigerian stylist Swanky Jerry.

New movies to stream

Unstoppable (Prime Video)

Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles and Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles in Unstoppable. Photo: Prime Video
Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles and Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles in Unstoppable. Photo: Prime Video

This Ben Affleck-produced biographical film is about American wrestler Anthony Robles who was born without one leg and who fights adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team in his quest to become national champion. Jharrel Jerome, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, plays Robles, while Jennifer Lopez plays his supportive mother. Don Cheadle, Michael Pena and Bobby Cannavale also star.

Back In Action (Netflix)

Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx and Rylan Jackson in Back In Action. Photo: Netflix
Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx and Rylan Jackson in Back In Action. Photo: Netflix

A fitting title to mark Diaz's first film in 10 years. The star of There's Something About Mary and Shrek teams up with Jamie Foxx for this action film in which they play apparently average parents with a big secret: they used to be incredibly skilled secret agents.

Years after giving up life as spies to start a family, Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx) find themselves dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown. The film also stars Glenn Close, Andrew Scott and Kyle Chandler.

The Roshans (Netflix)

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, left, with his father, director and actor Rakesh Roshan, centre, and his uncle, music director Rajesh Roshan. AFP
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, left, with his father, director and actor Rakesh Roshan, centre, and his uncle, music director Rajesh Roshan. AFP

For decades, Bollywood has been dominated by a few powerful families, and the Roshans are one of them. This documentary series promises an intimate look at the film family, starting with music director Roshan Lal Nagrath, his sons – actor and director Rakesh Roshan and music director Rajesh Roshan – and grandson Hrithik Roshan, one of Bollywood's biggest stars.

Revealing tales of triumph and tragedy, including the assassination attempt on Rakesh Roshan in 2000, the film will feature anecdotes from leading figures in Bollywood, from superstar Shah Rukh Khan to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

New music to stream

Balloonerism by Mac Miller

Balloonerism is the second album by rapper Mac Miller to be released since his death. 92tilinfinity / Instagram
Balloonerism is the second album by rapper Mac Miller to be released since his death. 92tilinfinity / Instagram

More than 10 years in the making, American rapper Mac Miller's second posthumously-released album is a 14-track offering taken from jam sessions recorded between 2013 and 2014. It features guest appearances by his alter ego Delusional Thomas as well as SZA. The rapper's first posthumous album, Circles, was released in 2020, two years after his untimely death in 2018.

“It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm – to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately GO:OD AM and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence,” read a post on the Instagram account 92tilinfinity, which posts updates from Miller's estate.

“We believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have circulated online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world.”

A short animated film based on the album and influenced by the lyrics, has also been released. “It follows a group of school friends who are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world. Pursued by the turtle of time, they must plod through the underbelly of adulthood,” reads the film's synopsis.

Born Malcolm McCormick, Miller was 26 when he died of an accidental drug overdose.

UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
%3Cp%3ETotal%20trade%20in%20goods%20and%20services%20(exports%20plus%20imports)%20between%20the%20UK%20and%20the%20UAE%20in%202022%20was%20%C2%A321.6%20billion%20(Dh98%20billion).%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThis%20is%20an%20increase%20of%2063.0%20per%20cent%20or%20%C2%A38.3%20billion%20in%20current%20prices%20from%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20was%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%2019th%20largest%20trading%20partner%20in%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%20Q4%202022%20accounting%20for%201.3%20per%20cent%20of%20total%20UK%20trade.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
While you're here
Strait of Hormuz

Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.

Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo%20permanent%20magnet%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo-speed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E625hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh737%2C480%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Three ways to get a gratitude glow

By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

  • During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
  • As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
  • In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
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

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)
Most F1 world titles

7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)

7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)

5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)

4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)

4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)

Arrogate's winning run

1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016

2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016

3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016

4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016

5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016

6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017

7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

The First Monday in May
Director:
Andrew Rossi
Starring: Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, John Paul Gaultier, Rihanna
Three stars

How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed

Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.

Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.

The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.

One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.

That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.

Updated: January 17, 2025, 6:01 PM`