It might not be evident from the still-scorching weather, but autumn is upon us. And with the new season comes a host of new TV shows and films to add to your ever-growing list of content to catch up on.
So, if you’re tired of re-runs and remakes, set a reminder to enjoy these original shows, films and limited series, including a documentary following Elon Musk’s race to space, a hugely anticipated Sopranos prequel, and a series based on an award-winning podcast starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.
Here are 15 of the most hotly anticipated originals coming to the streamers this autumn …
Netflix
‘Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space’, September 6
Why should only billionaires such as Musk, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos get to experience space? This new docuseries promises viewers the chance to see exactly what it’s like to blast off into the atmosphere as it follows the launch and mission of Musk’s SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission.
Netflix’s first real-time documentary will comprise two episodes released on Monday, September 6, the third episode on Monday, September 13, and the fourth in late September.
‘Kate’, September 10
With female assassins all the rage – Lucy, Peppermint, Black Widow, Red Sparrow – Netflix adds Kate into the mix, featuring Fargo’s Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the title role. This time, the twist is that Kate has only 24 hours left to live and is using that time to find out who poisoned her before her time runs out. The film also stars Woody Harrelson and The Flight Attendant’s Michiel Huisman.
‘Ankahi Kahaniya’, September 17
A trio of celebrated Bollywood directors – Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Saket Chaudhary and Abhishek Chaubey – come together to tell three stories of love. Mixing romance with drama in this anthology, Zoya Hussain, Kunal Kapoor, Abhishek Banerjee and Rinku Rajguru navigate love and loss in the city as they attempt to connect with those around them.
‘The Harder They Fall’, November 3
With a cast absolutely stacked with talent, The Harder They Fall revisits Hollywood’s love of the Western. Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz and LaKeith Stanfield star in this film about outlaw Rufus Buck (Elba), who, when he discovers the man who murdered his parents is being released from jail, assembles his old gang to seek revenge.
‘Maid’, October 1
This original series is based on the bestselling memoir from Stephanie Land, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood’s Margaret Qualley takes on the main role as a young single mother who, after leaving an abusive relationship, starts a job as a maid to provide for herself and her daughter. It also stars actress Andie MacDowell, Qualley’s real-life mum.
‘Red Notice’, November 12
After showing off their comedy chemistry in Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds reunite for this Netflix action drama, along with Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot. Johnson stars as Rusty, Interpol’s best tracker, who is unwittingly thrown together with Gadot’s art thief and Reynolds’s con artist to capture the world's most-wanted art thief.
‘The Princess Switch 3’, November 29
The hugely popular Netflix film gets a third outing just in time for Christmas, with Vanessa Hudgens once more doing triple duty as Stacy DeNovo, Margaret Delacourt and the scheming Fiona Pembroke. Shot on location in Scotland, this time around the lookalike trio are on the hunt for a stolen priceless relic.
Amazon Prime
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’, October 15
Based on the 1997 horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer, which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe, Amazon Prime has turned the film into a series. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’s Madison Iseman leads a cast running for their lives from a relentless, faceless killer.
‘The Wheel of Time’, November
Robert Jordan’s popular The Wheel of Time fantasy books get the small screen treatment with British actress Rosamund Pike headlining. Set in a world of magic that can only be accessed by certain women, Pike stars as Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female Aes Sedai, who arrives in the town of Two Rivers to meet five young men and women, one of whom will either save or destroy humanity.
HBO Max
‘The Many Saints of Newark’, September 24
One of the most hugely anticipated series of 2021, The Many Saints of Newark is the prequel to the acclaimed TV show The Sopranos. Starring the late James Gandolfini’s son, Michael, as Tony Soprano, Ray Liotta, Vera Farmiga, Leslie Odom Jr and Corey Stoll also appear in this family crime drama, which follows the Newark riots of 1967 and the rise of rival gangster groups who challenge the DiMeo crime family.
‘King Richard’, November 19
A title that will be released both in cinemas and on the streamer, Will Smith stars as Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena. The biopic follows the life of the tennis coach, who famously decided his daughters would be tennis stars after watching Romanian player Virginia Ruzici on television, wrote a 78-page plan to success, and put a tennis racquet in the girls' hands at the tender age of 4.
Apple TV+
‘The Problem with Jon Stewart’, September
Although it's not yet been given a release date, US current affairs stalwart Stewart returns to his political commentary roots on Apple TV+ in September. Having left The Daily Show with Jon Stewart back in 2015, according to Apple, the show “will explore topics that are currently part of the national conversation and Stewart’s advocacy work".
‘Foundation’, September 24
Fans of celebrated sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov rejoice, because one of his weightiest works is coming to the streaming service this autumn. Foundation, which stars British actor Jared Harris, is considered one of Asimov’s most sprawling series in which mathematician Hari Seldon foresees the fall of the galactic empire, encompassing the Milky Way, resulting in a dark age lasting 30,000 years.
To try and minimise the effects, Seldon creates the Foundations – two groups of scientists and engineers at opposite ends of the galaxy – to preserve aspects of the empire’s science and civilisation so they might become the cornerstones of the new galactic empire which will rise from its ashes.
‘Finch’, November 5
The eternally popular Tom Hanks takes on the eponymous role of Finch, a robotics engineer who survives an apocalyptic event on Earth. Eking out an existence in his underground bunker with his dog Goodyear, Finch builds a robot to take care of his pet in case he’s no longer around. Slowly, the robot learns about life, love, friendship and humanity.
‘The Shrink Next Door’, November 12
In a story inspired by true events, Dr Isaac Herschkopf (Paul Rudd) slowly starts to take over the life of his patient Martin Markowitz (Will Ferrell). The eight-part limited series, penned by Emmy Award-winning writer Georgia Pritchett, is based on a 10-episode podcast of the same name, which won the 2020 Webby Award for Documentary.
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Lowest Test scores
26 - New Zealand v England at Auckland, March 1955
30 - South Africa v England at Port Elizabeth, Feb 1896
30 - South Africa v England at Birmingham, June 1924
35 - South Africa v England at Cape Town, April 1899
36 - South Africa v Australia at Melbourne, Feb. 1932
36 - Australia v England at Birmingham, May 1902
36 - India v Australia at Adelaide, Dec. 2020
38 - Ireland v England at Lord's, July 2019
42 - New Zealand v Australia in Wellington, March 1946
42 - Australia v England in Sydney, Feb. 1888
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
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1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
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- 150 tonnes to landfill
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Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
- Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
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The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
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Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
