If there is one thing this latest pandemic has taught us, it is that we are all in this together.
In that sense, it has been heartening to see many of the region's pop-stars forego the usual curated social media posts to offer fans heartfelt advice on staying home, health tips and ways to exercise in isolation.
Some singers went even further, such as interviewing medical professionals and transforming their once glittering social media pages into community health boards.
Here is what some of the biggest stars have been posting during these challenging times...
Najwa Karam
The Lebanese singer has transformed into a citizen journalist and dropped an informative interview with Dr Walid Khairallah from Lebanese American University Schools of Medicine, who offered advice on ways to strengthen our immune systems in coming months. The best part of all is that it also comes with English subtitles.
Hussain Al Jassmi
The Emirati singer has been active in disseminating health precautions from the UAE government. Posts included Arabic and English information on health hotlines, washing tips in addition to messages encouraging people to stay home.
Balquees
The Yemeni-Emirati soprano dropped a playful and kid friendly TikTok video on best cleansing practices.
Kadim Al Sahir
The Iraqi crooner has always been a man of few words. But he has been making them count by dropping a series of colourful animated facts sheet ranging from "7 ways to stop the spread of the virus" to the importance of social distancing.
Elissa
The Lebanese diva posted a video playing key lyrics from the 2018 song Karahni: "I don't want you to come close to me and greet me." This was followed by the statement "Elissa's advice for the prevention of Corona". She followed it up with a post of herself exercising at home.
Ahlam
While the Emirati diva's Instagram is still pretty much on brand, Ahlam occasionally paused the theatrics with messages where she urges the UAE public to follow the government's health warnings.
Assi El Hallani
The Lebanese folk singer's health message was typical of his no nonsense public persona.
"Before the day where our regrets won't be worthwhile, let us all follow the advice of the World Health Organisation and that's not to leave our homes," he said. "Let us all be inside and look after our families and ourselves and our nation. Because this virus is not simple matter. All around the world there is a state of emergency and we should approach it the same way in our homes until we reach a time where we overcome this crisis."
Nancy Ajram
In what has already been a trying year for the singer, Ajram has been keeping it light hearted of late. She posted a picture of a small apartment building in Lebanon where residents danced along to her 2018 single Badna Nwalee El Jaw (We want to light up the atmosphere) followed by images of her quarantining herself with her three daughters at home.
Nassif Zeytoun
The Syrian star posted an affecting video showing doctors helping virus patients and Italian families grinning and dancing in the face of the pandemic. The visuals are paired to his 2019 song Mesh Khayef Mennak (I am not scared of you) – a track about facing adversity.
Nabeel Shueil
The Kuwaiti music legend is not a frequent social media presence. But he ramped up the activity as of late with public health announcements ranging from sanitising reminders to a graph on how the pandemic has spread throughout his homeland.
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Read more:
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'Health is more important than work': how the coronavirus is disrupting this year's Ramadan TV dramas
The show goes online: where to stream live concerts and operas
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How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
More on animal trafficking
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
