A song by a Jordanian teenager has become a viral sensation.
Released last September, Hadal Ahbek by singer-songwriter Issam Alnajjar is one of Spotify's most streamed songs.
The track currently sits on the top spot of the platform's Global Viral 50 – a chart measuring how songs are shared on the platform, blogs and social media.
That rise to the top is the culmination of reaching several number one positions in similar country-specific charts on the platform, including in the US, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and India.
This means Alnajjar's track, the title of which translates to I'll Keep Loving You, is right now being shared more than those of superstars Justin Bieber and The Weeknd.
The song found similar success on a range of social media platforms and streaming sites.
At present, it is on top of music discovery app Shazam's Global chart with 1.7 million hits, while on YouTube, Hadal Ahbek's music video has achieved more than 17 million streams.
On TikTok, the song generated more than 91,000 videos that were watched by 45 million users. The song's associated hashtag #hadal_ahbek also resulted in 301 million views to date on the app.
"We are so happy to see that one of our Mena music creators was able to make it, not just regionally but also globally," TikTok's head of video and creative Rami Zeidan tells The National.
"Issam Alnajjar is a brilliant young upcoming artist and we look forward to continuing to be part of his growth journey through Arabic music."
Why is it so popular?
Simply put: the song is catchy in all the right ways.
Where viral tracks have a habit of quickly outstaying their welcome, Hadal Ahbek's slow-burning success comes from how organic it all sounds.
Built on breezy folk arrangements recalling singers Ed Sheeran or Jason Mraz, the song exudes a gentle melancholy as it details a rocky relationship.
With a mixture of candour and conviction, Alnajjar's lyrics directly address his partner, as he promises he will remain by her side.
“I will always be with you,” he croons. “Even if everyone is against you I'll keep loving you.”
The best part of all is the ingeniously simple scatting chorus ("Ra-pa-pa-pa-ra-pa-ra-pa"), which makes it hummable from Amman to Amsterdam.
A new star on the scene
Alnajjar, who is based in the Jordanian capital, seemingly burst on to the scene less than a year ago.
His YouTube channel, which has 326,000 subscribers, only has four songs, with Hadal Ahbek being one of two originals. The other self-penned tune is One Of A Kind, a more bluesy affair that was uploaded in June 2020.
That Alnajjar has yet to make a major media appearance is also in line with the low key vibe of his social media channels. His Instagram account rarely alludes to the fact that he is one of the most talked-about artists in the music industry. Instead, we are treated to videos of bedroom performances on his acoustic guitar and intimate snaps with "BFFs".
However, a rare post acknowledging his growing popularity is found in November.
Wearing a hoodie with Hadal Ahbek emblazoned across his chest, Alnajjar looks at the camera with a hand stretched.
The caption reads: "the dream is coming true."
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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