This might be the best performance by the Barden Bellas yet.
The cast of the Pitch Perfect film series have reunited to record a new song, with money raised by the track donated to children in Lebanon and beyond.
Actresses including Hailee Steinfeld, Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick took part in an a capella cover of Beyonce's hit track, Love on Top, which was released on Monday.
The stars also featured in a video recorded to accompany the cover, with each actress performing remotely via Zoom.
Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, Kelley Alice Jakle, Wanetah Walmsley and Shelley Regner also feature in the video and track.
"Families around the globe are suffering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those in Lebanon who are facing crisis after crisis. But we can all pitch in and help," Australian star Wilson captioned the video, uploaded to her Instagram page.
"The proceeds from the downloads and streams of our rendition of Love on Top will go to Unicef to help children in Lebanon and around the world who need our support right now."
Money raised will go towards the children's charity's coronavirus relief fund. Unicef is currently working on the ground in Beirut, following the devastating explosion in the city's port on Tuesday, August 4, killing at least 177 people.
The cover marks the first time the cast have reunited in almost three years, following the release of Pitch Perfect 3 in November 2017. The trilogy of films are centred around the Barden Bellas, an all-female a capella group at Barden University, who compete in a number of competitions around the globe.
The films also star Elizabeth Banks, who recorded an introduction for the Love on Top video, together with John Michael Higgins. The two play quick-witted competition announcers and commentators in the series.
"Buckle up kids, the Bellas are back … for a good cause!" Banks, who also directed Pitch Perfect 2, wrote on Instagram.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news. The Barden Bellas have gotten back together again," Higgins says in the clip. "It seems like not even a quarantine can prevent them from harassing us with another musical performance."
"John, you have a cold, dead heart. But that’s right, the Bellas are back with a reimagined classic to support Unicef, who are on the ground in 192 countries doing whatever it takes to protect kids from the coronavirus pandemic," replies Banks.
The Barden Bellas' cover can be downloaded from streaming platforms such as iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify.
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4
Price, base: Dh145,000
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Racecard
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com