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Time of India
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hitmakers release date and time: Will BLACKPINK's Lisa compete in Netflix's new music-focused reality series? Here's what we know
Netflix is serving up something fresh for music fans this July. The new music-focused reality docuseries Hitmakers brings together some of the industry's top songwriters and producers in a high-pressure competition to create the next big hit. It's not just another reality show. This one blends music, creativity, and just enough behind-the-scenes chaos to keep things interesting. Whether you're into chart-topping pop, curious about how a hit song is actually made, or just looking for a new binge-worthy series, Hitmakers might be worth adding to your list. And yes, there's a special surprise in store for BLACKPINK fans too. Inside the World of Hitmakers At the heart of Hitmakers are twelve producers and songwriters, including names like Tommy Brown, Harv, Jenna Andrews, and Trey Campbell. These artists aren't here to sing—they're here to build magic from scratch. Over six episodes, they work in groups, brainstorm lyrics, create beats, and pitch finished songs for artists to record. What sets this show apart is how real it feels. You'll see the pressure, the self-doubt, the clashing styles, and the moments of pure creative brilliance. Each episode dives into a different songwriting camp, and the goal is simple: make a track that could climb the charts. BLACKPINK's Lisa makes a special appearance Fans were quick to notice Lisa from BLACKPINK in the official trailer. Her appearance is brief but instantly eye-catching. Lisa isn't competing in the show, but she does show up as an artist during one of the camps, either reviewing songs or taking part in a session. This isn't Lisa's first time on Netflix; the platform previously hosted BLACKPINK's documentary, but this marks her first solo project feature. It's a big deal for BLINKs and adds another layer of global appeal to the series. Reddit users were already speculating on her role, with one fan pointing out, 'She's not just in the background. There's something personal about her appearance here.' Hitmakers release date and time on Netflix Hitmakers will premiere globally on Netflix on July 24, 2025. Like most Netflix originals, the show is expected to go live at midnight Pacific Time. Check out time for your region below: United States (PT) – 12:00 AM (midnight) United States (ET) – 3:00 AM Canada (Toronto) – 3:00 AM United Kingdom (BST) – 8:00 AM Europe (Central European Summer Time - CEST) – 9:00 AM South Africa (SAST) – 9:00 AM United Arab Emirates (GST) – 11:00 AM India (IST) – 12:30 PM Thailand (ICT) – 2:00 PM Philippines / Malaysia / Singapore (PHT / MYT / SGT) – 3:00 PM South Korea / Japan (KST / JST) – 4:00 PM Australia (AEST) – 5:00 PM New Zealand (NZST) – 7:00 PM No matter where you are, just check your Netflix feed on the 24th, and the episodes should be ready to go. The whole season will be released at once, so you can binge it or pace yourself.
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Pokémon Concierge Season 2: Release Date, Schedule, How to Watch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Pokémon Concierge delighted fans when its first season was released back in late 2023, with its adorable visuals and charming storytelling landing it among the best Pokémon media ever made. The stop-motion animated series saw the burned-out Haru teaming up with a shy Psyduck to become the best Pokémon resort concierge in the business, and fans of Pokémon and newcomers alike fell in love with their cute antics. Since then, fans have been desperate for more news about Pokémon Concierge, and we finally have a firm release date for Pokémon Concierge season 2. After previously announcing a release window for Pokémon Concierge season 2, The Pokémon Company used its recent Pokémon Presents presentation to give us more details about the new season. To that end, we've put together this guide to help you with everything you need to know about the series, including how to watch Pokémon Concierge season 2 as well as the Pokémon Concierge season 2 release date, and the release schedule for Pokémon Concierge season 2. Pokémon Concierge Season 2: Release Date and Time Haru, a woman with ginger hair with her arm around a Psyduck. Haru, a woman with ginger hair with her arm around a Psyduck. Netflix Pokémon Concierge season 2 will be released on September 4, 2025. Most Netflix original series, like Pokémon Concierge, are released at 3:00am ET, so we can expect that Pokémon Concierge will be released at this time, too. Here's when you can expect Pokémon Concierge to launch on its release date in your region: ET – 12:00am midnight PT – 3:00am BRT – 4:00am BST – 8:00am CEST – 9:00am CST – 3:00pm JST/KST – 4:00pm AEST – 5:00pm NZST – 7:00pm Pokémon Concierge Season 2: How to Watch Pokémon Concierge season 2 will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix. Netflix requires a paid subscription, although cheaper, ad-supported tiers are available to help lower the cost. The Pokémon Company may make some episodes available for free on YouTube, but it's not guaranteed. Pokémon Concierge Season 2: How Many Episodes and Schedule Season 2 of Pokémon Concierge will have four episodes. All four of the episodes will be released on the release date listed above, much like the first season. It's not known how long each episode will be, but the first season featured episodes between 14 and 20 minutes long, so you can expect the same in Pokémon Concierge season 2. Pokémon Concierge Season 2: Synopsis and Trailer Netflix has released the following official synopsis for Pokémon Concierge season 2: Set in a resort on a tropical island resort for Pokémon, rookie concierge Haru and her partner Psyduck interact with Pokémon guests in this heartwarming story of growth. In the new episodes, Haru has grown a little and is no longer a newbie. She and her partner Psyduck welcome many new Pokémon to the resort, including Sealeo, Shinx, Luxray, Arcanine, and Corphish. Haru spends fun and relaxing days surrounded by these guests, occaisionally handling any problems that pop up. One day, a guy named Kent (voiced by Keita Machida) appears, and he seems to be Haru's ex-boyfriend. Why did he come to the resort? What will happen with his relationship with Haru? Plus, Tyler's uncle Dan (voiced by Kazuhiro Yamaji) arrives at the resort with the Sealeo that has accompanied him for 15 years. Dan, who sometimes looks a little forlorn, is troubled by something... And here's the official trailer:
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Auckland, Northland lashed by heavy rain and winds as state of emergency declared in Tasman
Severe rainfall across the North Island Live Events Central and Lower North Island Braced Civil defence urges early evacuation Motueka River Valley (Tapawera to Riwaka) Wakefield to Brightwater (Wai-iti and Pitfure Rivers) Low-lying areas of Moutere Valley Ngatimoti School (open 10:00 am Friday – 12:00 pm Saturday) Riwaka Hall (10:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday) Tapawera Community Centre (10:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday) Wakefield Worship Centre (10:30 am – 6:00 pm Friday) (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A powerful weather system has brought torrential rain and gale-force winds to New Zealand's upper North Island and northern South Island, causing widespread alerts and a State of Emergency in Mayor Tim King declared a precautionary State of Emergency on July 11, at 8:00 am NZST, as heavy rains continue to batter the region already reeling from June's severe Zealand's MetService has issued a Red Warning for areas southeast of Motueka, with 80–120 mm of additional rain forecast. Up to 180 mm is expected in parts of Tasman, Nelson, and Marlborough, northwest of the Awatere King said the declaration ensures a swift response if evacuations or rescues become necessary: 'It's about being prepared to protect people and property.'MetService has placed Orange Heavy Rain Warnings on multiple regions, including Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel, Waikato, Rotorua, and Bay of Plenty west of warnings are in effect from 6:00 am today until 3:00 am tomorrow, July 12, with 60–140mm of rainfall wind watches are also active in Northland and Auckland (2:00 pm – 9:00 pm), where gusts of up to 100 km/h have already been recorded near the Harbour heaviest rainfall in Auckland is forecast for the evening rush hour (5:00–8:00 pm), with possible thunderstorms between 7:00–10:00 is under three active alerts, including a Heavy Rain Watch for northern areas until 11:00 pm and an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the mountain. Winds of 120 km/h are predicted south of Mt Taranaki from 11:00 heavy rain watches and strong wind warnings have been issued for Taihape and Whanganui from 2:00 Tasman Civil Defence issued an Emergency Mobile Alert around 8:25 a.m. urging residents who were evacuated during the previous floods or those in vulnerable areas to leave immediately before conditions is advised for:Civil Defence Centres have been activated in:Mayor Nick Smith of Nelson noted the ongoing strain: 'This rainfall and disruption is relentless and tiring... but we just need to bear with it, make sensible judgments, and support each other.'
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Colossal Biosciences Plans To Resurrect The South Island Giant Moa
July 8 2025 AT 1 PM EST // JULY 9, 2025 AT 5AM NZST, TE WAIPOUNAMU/SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND: The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre has entered into a strategic partnership with de-extinction company, Colossal Biosciences, and Sir Peter Jackson, to resurrect the South Island Giant Moa and other Taonga Species. The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre coordinated project aims to advance ecological restoration and develop tools for conservation in Te Waipounamu, New Zealand's South Island In a historic indigenous-coordinated initiative, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre has entered into a collaboration with Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based genetic engineering and de-extinction company, and acclaimed filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson, to work together to resurrect the extinct South Island Giant Moa. The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre was established in 2011 to support the intellectual growth and development of Ngāi Tahu, the principal iwi (Māori tribe) of the southern region of New Zealand. A multi-disciplinary hub based at the University of Canterbury, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre will direct all aspects of this project. This extends longstanding Ngāi Tahu involvement with species protection and ecological restoration and builds on the Research Centre's strong record of international collaboration. The partners aim to place Māori values, cultural heritage, and ecological knowledge at the centre of de-extinction and species preservation efforts, thereby producing a world-leading model of scientific collaboration with indigenous people. In doing so, Ngai Tahu communities and whānau (families) will have opportunities to help guide this project: from laboratory research to conservation planning and implementation. This ambitious partnership, which integrates mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge) with advanced genetic engineering to support ecological restoration and revolutionary conservation tools for taonga (treasured) species, signals a new era of indigenous leadership in scientific innovation. Moreover, the technology will be open sourced and available to anyone who wants to use it for conservation purposes at the direction of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. Colossal Biosciences has committed a large investment to New Zealand to build biotechnology within and protect its unique biological heritage, including flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. New Zealand is a biodiversity hotspot due to its isolation and natural history, with a high proportion of endemic species. Colossal: Is already applying its genetic engineering tools and end-to-end de-extinction pipeline to restore the moa from extinction. Will sequence and rebuild the genomes for all nine moa species, which has already begun. Researching the genomes of all moa species is valuable for informing conservation efforts and understanding the role of climate change and human activity in biodiversity loss. Will develop additional genetic studies across related bird species - creating reference genomes and using computational tools to compare the genomics of each species across the entire order of dinornithiformes and several of their closest living relatives including tinamous and emus. Will develop a conservation assessment and risk evaluation report that will include a feasibility analysis, a conservation action plan to address drivers of extinction, and identify potential rewilding sites for the restored moas. Will, alongside these technological approaches, work with its partners to undertake ecological restoration projects throughout the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (domain). These initiatives will focus on rehabilitating potential moa habitat while supporting existing native species, guided by Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Will be directed by Ngāi Tahu Research Centre experts in the development of cutting-edge conservation initiatives including genome sequencing and biobanking for taonga (treasured) species beyond the moa. This work will create a genetic repository of culturally significant plants and animals, safeguarding biodiversity while building indigenous capacity in conservation biotechnology. Will provide funding, resources, and expertise to whānau-led expeditions to locate and sample taonga species to be included in a regional biobank located within the ngai Tahu takiwā (domain). Will develop economic models for species preservation including ecotourism opportunities and carbon credit modeling to create sustainable sources of revenue for communities across Te Waipounamu/the South Island. Will work closely to ensure the work builds opportunities and capability in New Zealand – especially for Te Waipounamu/the South Island, and Māori youth. Will create educational programming and curricula highlighting these cutting-edge technologies to educate and inspire Ngāi Tahu youth to pursue careers in the STEM fields. Will develop capacity building opportunities for Ngāi Tahu whānau to work alongside Colossal scientists working on de-extinction, conservation sciences, and biobanking with the vision of standing up laboratories and science centers within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (domain). Has already made steps to create Colossal Labs New Zealand, a subsidiary of the company and all data, technology, and research will be provided directly to the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. Colossal scientists recently joined Ngāi Tahu archaeologist Kyle Davis on a visit to caves and other sites known to contain significant moa subfossil deposits within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā. Davis remarked, 'our earliest ancestors in this place lived alongside moa and our records, both archaeological and oral, contain knowledge about these birds and their environs. We relish the prospect of bringing that into dialogue with Colossal's cutting-edge science as part of a bold vision for ecological restoration.' Director of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, Professor Mike Stevens similarly notes that moa harvesting was one of the things that transformed tropical East Polynesian explorers into subtropical South Polynesia Māori. 'During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, moa provided meat for sustenance, and bones and feathers for tools and decoration, especially in Te Waipounamu. And the loss of moa, through over-harvesting and habitat modification, was a salutary lesson as to the New Zealand archipelago's 'fragile plenty'.' Stevens further comments that, 'we Ngāi Tahu have successfully partnered with the New Zealand government over many decades to protect and enhance endangered species, especially bird species. However, we are particularly excited by this project because of the extent to which it enables us to exercise our rangatiratanga (leadership) and tikanga (customs) and the potential to bring ecological and economic aspirations into a singular frame. We also see huge importance in this technology as we enter the Anthropocene.' Collaborating scientist Paul Scofield, Senior Curator Natural History at Canterbury Museum, and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Earth and Environment at the University of Canterbury says, 'The gigantic moa were a cornerstone of Aotearoa/New Zealand ecosystems. Colossal Biosciences and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre are providing New Zealand conservationists with an unprecedented opportunity to recreate lost taonga (treasured) moa species. This Ngāi Tahu Research Centre-led initiative will drive new historical, ecological, and scientific discoveries on the path to recreating moa. The knowledge gained will be beneficial to all of New Zealand, to conservation, and the world.' Scofield has over thirty years of experience in conservation and avian palaeobiology in New Zealand, the Antarctic, Arctic, central Pacific and Caribbean and is one of the leading moa researchers and curator of the largest collection of moa bones in the world. Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, thanked Peter Jackson for bringing all the parties together and expressed enthusiasm about supporting the initiative: 'We are honored to contribute our advanced computational and genetic engineering capabilities under the direction of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. This partnership represents a new model where indigenous leadership guides scientific endeavors, recognizing that traditional ecological knowledge and cultural context are essential to responsible de-extinction and species preservation efforts. There is so much knowledge that will be unlocked and shared on the journey to bring back the iconic moa." 'I'm delighted to partner with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Colossal Biosciences on a mission to save some of our most precious taonga. Resources will be put into ensuring some of the most critically endangered species in Aotearoa/New Zealand are protected for future generations,' said Sir Peter Jackson, the acclaimed filmmaker and proud New Zealander who previously invested in Colossal's de-extinction projects. 'With the recent resurrection of the dire wolf, Colossal has also made real the possibility of bringing back lost species. There's a lot of science still to be done – but we can start looking forward to the day when birds like the moa or the huia are rescued from the darkness of extinction. Exciting times lay ahead! Even the journey will bring incredible insights about the history of this land and enrich discussions as to the potential nature of our future here.' About the Moa Moa were flightless birds endemic to New Zealand that went extinct approximately 600 years ago, approximately two centuries after Polynesian settlement. These remarkable birds, which consisted of nine distinct species, ranged from turkey-sized species to the South Island Giant Moa (Dinornis robustus) which stood up to 3.6 meters tall with neck outstretched and weighed approximately 230 kilograms. As large herbivores, moa played crucial ecological roles in New Zealand's forests and grasslands for millions of years. Their browsing habits shaped vegetation structure and composition, while their seed dispersal activities influenced plant distribution patterns. The extinction of moa resulted in significant changes to New Zealand's ecosystems, creating cascading effects still evident today. Recent research has shown that moa populations were stable until human arrival, with extinction occurring within a century of Polynesian settlement, primarily due to hunting and habitat change. This rapid extinction represents one of the most well-documented examples of human impact on megafauna. 'The first time I flew over New Zealand's South Island, I was captivated by the breathtaking landscapes,' said Robert Nelson, renowned biotechnology investor and Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners, who has also provided financial support for the project. 'I remember hearing incredible stories about the moa – these extraordinary giant birds that once roamed these valleys. My immediate thought was simply, 'if the Māori people want them back, we should do everything in our power to support their wishes.' It just felt like one of those projects that needed the right collaboration to make happen. I'm excited to support this ambitious scientific endeavor that connects New Zealand's past with its future.' The Māori-Directed De-extinction Approach Dr. Beth Shapiro, Colossal's Chief Science Officer and renowned evolutionary biologist specializing in ancient DNA, emphasized the scientific and ecological value of the Māori-led approach: 'This partnership represents an unprecedented opportunity to combine indigenous ecological knowledge with genomic technology to better understand not just the moa, but the entire ecosystem they inhabited. By studying ancient DNA, we can gain insights into how these keystone species shaped New Zealand's unique biodiversity and apply these lessons to strengthen the resilience of modern ecosystems facing climate change and habitat loss.' The partnership will follow a deliberate, step-by-step methodology that respects scientific rigor while reflecting Māori values and traditional ecological knowledge. This phased approach begins with expeditions to recover ancient DNA and genomic analysis, followed by gene identification and functional characterization, biological inference from genomic data, and the development of reproductive technologies. Various advancements including deeper comparative genomics across multiple bird families, new PGC culture conditions, interspecies surrogacy, and artificial egg membranes will all advance the next generation conservation toolkits for species preservation of additional taonga (treasured) species. In parallel, the project will incorporate animal husbandry expertise focused on related avian species to better understand developmental requirements and behavioral patterns that would inform any future restoration efforts. Dr. Anna Keyte, Avian Species Director at Colossal Biosciences, shared her enthusiasm for the collaborative work ahead: 'Working with Ngāi Tahu experts to develop technologies that support moa restoration is an incredible scientific opportunity with profound cultural significance. The avian genomics team is particularly excited to apply our expertise in ways that honor Māori values while advancing conservation science. The technologies we develop together on the path to moa de-extinction will have immediate applications for conservation of existing threatened bird species across Aotearoa/New Zealand.' Educational and Economic Opportunities Beyond the scientific and ecological dimensions, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, along with the Canterbury Museum, both located in Christchurch, New Zealand, are looking to create sustainable economic opportunities to benefit Ngāi Tahu and the wider Te Waipounamu/South Island community. As part of its contribution to the overall project, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre will explore how best to develop Ngāi Tahu-owned and operated ecotourism ventures and research facilities that showcase Māori leadership in conservation innovation. The project will also establish educational programs that critically engage with Ngāi Tahu knowledge systems and offer fresh thinking about their relationship with relevant scientific concepts. These programs will ensure that understandings of the moa, and its potential return to the Ngāi Tahu landscape, are grounded in Māori perspectives. These programs will be developed and delivered by Māori researchers and educators, with a view to creating sustainable employment pathways. For more information please visit ABOUT THE NGĀI TAHU RESEARCH CENTRE Established in 2011, the multi-disciplinary Ngāi Tahu Research Centre will gather relevant cultural and ecological knowledge pertaining to moa, and the landscapes they once roamed, as part of its offering to this partnership. The Centre's central role in this project will set a new global benchmark for indigenous leadership in scientific innovation and ecological restoration. ABOUT COLOSSAL BIOSCIENCES Colossal was founded by emerging technology and software entrepreneur Ben Lamm and world-renowned geneticist and serial biotech entrepreneur George Church, Ph.D., and is the first to apply CRISPR technology for the purposes of species de-extinction. Colossal creates innovative technologies for species restoration, critically endangered species protection and the repopulation of critical ecosystems that support the continuation of life on Earth. Colossal is accepting humanity's duty to restore Earth to a healthier state, while also solving for the future economies and biological necessities of the human condition through cutting-edge science and technologies. To follow along, please visit: ABOUT CANTERBURY MUSEUM Canterbury Museum is the largest museum in Te Waipounamu/the South Island of New Zealand. It holds the largest collection of moa remains in the world. The museum's founder, Sir Julius von Haast, was instrumental in building this collection, often exchanging moa bones with overseas museums to acquire other valuable artifacts and specimens. These exchanges, alongside extensive local excavations, made it the pivotal institution for understanding the biology of these gigantic extinct birds.
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Jacob Douglas Eyes Championship Climb At Mid-Ohio
Kiwi talent Jacob Douglas returns to the grid this weekend in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires, targeting a major push up the points standings as the season enters its final stretch. Douglas heads into the double-header at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course sixth in the standings, locked in a tight battle for second place. While his Pabst Racing teammate Max Garcia enjoys a commanding 72-point lead in the Driver's Championship, Douglas remains firmly in contention, just 45 points oƯ second place. The 20-year-old New Zealander arrives at Mid-Ohio in strong form, following an impressive outing at Road America that saw him secure back-to-back podiums in the opening two races and charge from the back of the field to a top ten finish in Race 3 after being caught in a mid-race incident. 'Really looking forward to getting back out there,' said Douglas. 'We tested at Mid-Ohio earlier this year and had solid pace, even with poor weather and a focus on long-run setups. I'm feeling confident after a strong showing at Road America, where we picked up our third and fourth podiums of the season. 'The championship fight is still wide open. A strong weekend here could put us second in the standings heading into the final two race weekends. Max has a healthy lead, but we're not counting anything out just yet.' Douglas also spoke to the value of momentum at this stage of the year: 'We're heading into a really important phase of the season. It's all about consistency now, maximising every session, qualifying well, and keeping it clean in the races. Mid-Ohio can be unforgiving, so staying sharp and adaptable will be key.' Douglas brings additional experience at Mid-Ohio from his time in the USF2000 Championship, where he scored two top ten finishes. That familiarity could prove crucial as he aims to capitalise on every opportunity in this weekend's key battles. Track action kicks oƯ with two test sessions on Thursday (local time), followed by oƯicial practice at 12:45 am NZST on Saturday. Qualifying gets underway at 4:15 am NZST the same day. Race 1 takes place at 3:55 am NZST on Sunday, with Race 2 scheduled for 9:15 am NZST. Both races will run over 30 laps. Fans can catch all the action live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel. About Jacob Douglas Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren and Ian Snellgrove trophies among the Class of 2024 In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires. Where to watch: The USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires can be viewed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel.
