Elissa has released a song for the times.
After teasing fans last week by announcing a new single was on the way, the Lebanese singer dropped her latest track, Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman, on YouTube on Saturday, April 11.
Translated as “we shall sing again and again", the song acts as both a message of encouragement as well as a plea for people to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Presented in the style of a video conference by Lebanese filmmaker and visual artist Eli Rezkallah, the accompanying music video begins with Elissa at home – complete in pink pyjamas – reaching out to friend and fellow pop star Haifa Wehbe, who is also isolating at home.
Concerned at her bored state, Elissa consoles her by singing the song. As the track develops, the screen splits into video-conference mode with family members and fans tuning in and dancing along from their respective homes.
While Elissa has yet to comment on whether the track was inspired by the present pandemic, the lyrics act as a rallying cry for fans to stay the course during these challenging times.
The resonant lines are found in the soothing chorus, where she declares: “We shall live under any circumstances / We'll live and see / We will live, let's go and live.”
With the pandemic forcing Elissa to adopt a virtual option of creating her music video, she said the allotted budget for production was given to charity.
"We hope it will put a smile on your faces during these times as we get through it together," she said on Instagram. "All the allocated budget for this project was donated to charity. Stay home and stay safe."
The song confirms new pop direction
Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman also confirms Elissa's previous assertion that her upcoming album will have a decidedly Egyptian pop flavour.
In addition to being sung in the country’s dialect, the track also features the work of a top Egyptian songwriting trio: composer Mohammed Yeyha, lyricist Shady Nour and arranger Elhamy Dheima.
It was the latter, in an interview with Egyptian newspaper Al Watan, who confirmed Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman is the first single from Elissa's upcoming album.
In addition to its release later in the year, what we do know about the new project is that it will comprise 20 songs and feature the work of Egyptian composers Mohammed Rahim and Nader Abdullah, as well as lyricist Amir Teima.
However, Elissa’s fans are keen to know if she intends to commit to an earlier statement that the new album would be her last.
Elissa shocked fans last year by stating her next project would be her final album, due to the creative constraints placed upon her by a regional music industry she described as a "mafia".
Elissa’s songs are on point
Whatever the case may be, Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman continues Elissa's streak of releasing topical songs and videos.
In 2018 she opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis through the release of the single Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni (To Those Who Love Me), with an accompanying music video re-enacting the scene where she received the news from the doctor.
In 2015 she released the powerful Ye Meryati (My Mirror) which tackles under-reported cases of domestic violence in Lebanese homes, and in 2017's A'aks Elli Shayfenya (The Opposite of What We See), she details the life of Lebanese dancer Dany Bustros, who committed suicide in 1998 after the death of her only son.
"I have never been concerned about discussing tough subjects. The key is finding the best way to talk about them," she told The National last year. "While I am glad people enjoy my songs, I try to make sure that each one of them has a purpose."
Neymar's bio
Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brahmastra%3A%20Part%20One%20-%20Shiva
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