A Khaleeji rap track is topping Spotify\u2019s Viral chart after appearing in a popular yet contentious Bollywood film.<\/p>\n
The song Fa9la, by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi<\/a> and originally released last year, features in Hindi espionage film Dhurandhar<\/a>, starring Ranveer Singh<\/a>. The exposure helped to push the track to the number one spot in the chart.<\/p>\n Dhurandhar itself remains unavailable in Gulf cinemas. Industry insiders told The National the film has not been cleared for regional release due to its politically sensitive subject matter. <\/p>\n Despite that absence on the big screen, Fa9la marks another milestone in Flipperachi\u2019s efforts to take Khaleeji hip-hop beyond the Gulf. <\/p>\n Here is what you need to know about the artist.<\/p>\n Champion of Khaleeji hip-hop<\/p>\n Flipperachi, real name Hussam Aseem, has been active on the Gulf\u2019s hip-hop scene for nearly two decades, building a rap style rooted in local dialects, bilingual delivery and culturally specific lyricism. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Gulf is distinct from the broader Arab world. We have our own style of language, culture and way of life,\u201d he told The National in a previous interview. \u201cA lot of it really comes down to how social we are as a culture. <\/p>\n \u201cHospitality in the Gulf region is top-notch. We love welcoming people into our homes and treating them wholeheartedly as one of our own. From this warmth emerges a rich tapestry of catchy and playful Arabic words or terms of affection that are perfect to work with. These expressions often become punchlines in our songs and resonate deeply with people from the region.\u201d<\/p>\n Growing local before going global<\/p>\n That fine-tuned approach resulted in a catalogue of tracks designed for wider audiences and different occasions. 2016\u2019s Ee Laa, a celebratory Khaleeji rap collaboration with Kuwaiti rapper Daffy, surpassed 40 million streams on YouTube.<\/p>\n Hayalla Min Yana uses bilingual lyrics to reflect daily life in Bahrain, while Fasla draws on traditional Gulf dance forms. <\/p>\n In 2023, he released Nayda, a collaboration with Kuwaiti singer Alaa Alhendi that went on to cross the 10 million view mark on YouTube. More recently, Toota centred on a regional term of endearment commonly used within families.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I wrote it, there weren\u2019t any subliminal messages or hidden connections,\u201d Flipperachi said of Toota. \u201cIt was just about expressing love.\u201d<\/p>\n Teaming up on major campaigns<\/p>\n Alongside recorded releases, his music has been repeatedly used in major regional campaigns. In 2025, he collaborated with former NBA player Shaquille O\u2019Neal on Shaq\u2019s On Yas, the official theme for a Yas Island campaign, recorded remotely between Bahrain and the US.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a back-and-forth process with him being in the US while I was in Bahrain,\u201d Flipperachi said. \u201cI would lay down the lyrics, send them over, and we would refine everything remotely.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2019, he teamed up with Daffy to record the anthem for Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, tied to the UFC event in the capital.<\/p>\n Proof that Khaleeji hip-hop travels<\/p>\n Fa9la\u2019s success reflects Flipperachi\u2019s view about the potential of Khaleeji hip-hop and how it can resonate beyond borders without diluting its cultural essence.<\/p>\n \u201cArabic hip-hop needs a lot of variety,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery region is different. That difference is important because it fosters appreciation for all other artists and what they bring to the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Classification of skills<\/p>\n A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.\u00a0<\/p>\n A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 \u2013 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.<\/p>\n The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n Evacuations to France hit by controversy \tRaed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation Out<\/p>\n \tDr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research Results<\/p>\n 4.30pm\u00a0Jebel\u00a0Jais \u2013\u00a0Maiden (PA)\u00a0Dh60,000 (Turf)\u00a01,000m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0MM\u00a0Al\u00a0Balqaa,\u00a0Bernardo\u00a0Pinheiro (jockey),\u00a0Qaiss\u00a0Aboud (trainer)<\/p>\n 5pm:\u00a0Jabel\u00a0Faya \u2013\u00a0Maiden (PA)\u00a0Dh60,000 (T)\u00a01,000m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0AF\u00a0Rasam,\u00a0Tadhg\u00a0O\u2019Shea,\u00a0Ernst\u00a0Oertel<\/p>\n 5.30pm:\u00a0Al\u00a0Wathba\u00a0Stallions\u00a0Cup \u2013\u00a0Handicap (PA)\u00a0Dh70,000 (T)\u00a02,200m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0AF\u00a0Mukhrej,\u00a0Tadhg\u00a0O\u2019Shea,\u00a0Ernst\u00a0Oertel<\/p>\n 6pm:\u00a0The\u00a0President\u2019s\u00a0Cup\u00a0Prep \u2013\u00a0Conditions (PA)\u00a0Dh100,000 (T)\u00a02,200m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0Mujeeb,\u00a0Richard\u00a0Mullen,\u00a0Salem\u00a0Al\u00a0Ketbi<\/p>\n 6.30pm:\u00a0Abu\u00a0Dhabi\u00a0Equestrian\u00a0Club \u2013\u00a0Prestige (PA)\u00a0Dh125,000 (T)\u00a01,600m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0Jawal\u00a0Al\u00a0Reef,\u00a0Antonio\u00a0Fresu,\u00a0Abubakar\u00a0Daud<\/p>\n 7pm:\u00a0Al\u00a0Ruwais \u2013\u00a0Group\u00a03 (PA)\u00a0Dh300,000 (T)\u00a01,200m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0Ashton\u00a0Tourettes,\u00a0Pat\u00a0Dobbs,\u00a0Ibrahim\u00a0Aseel<\/p>\n 7.30pm:\u00a0Jebel\u00a0Hafeet \u2013\u00a0Maiden (TB)\u00a0Dh80,000 (T)\u00a01,400m;\u00a0Winner:\u00a0Nibraas,\u00a0Richard\u00a0Mullen,\u00a0Nicholas\u00a0Bachalard<\/p>\n Stage 3 results<\/p>\n 1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott\u00a04:42:33<\/p>\n 2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03<\/p>\n 3\u00a0Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana\u00a00:01:30<\/p>\n 4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ<\/p>\n 5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n 6\u00a0Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates\u00a0 0:01:56<\/p>\n General Classification after Stage 3:<\/p>\n 1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02<\/p>\n 2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07<\/p>\n 3\u00a0\u00a0Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35<\/p>\n 4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ\u00a00:01:40<\/p>\n 5\u00a0\u00a0Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe<\/p>\n 6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb)\u00a0 0:02:06<\/p>\n Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters<\/p>\n The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.<\/p>\n \u00a0Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.<\/p>\n A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.<\/p>\n The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation\u00a0must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.<\/p>\n The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.<\/p>\n Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.<\/p>\n Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment<\/p>\n But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.<\/p>\n Cherry<\/p>\n Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo<\/p>\n Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo<\/p>\n 1\/5<\/p>\n The biog<\/p>\n Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah<\/p>\n Date of birth: 15 November, 1951<\/p>\n Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as \u201cThe Sun will Never Set\u201d<\/p>\n Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry<\/p>\n The biog<\/p>\n Name: Abeer Al Shahi<\/p>\n Emirate: Sharjah \u2013 Khor Fakkan<\/p>\n Education: Master\u2019s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.<\/p>\n Favourite activities: Bungee jumping<\/p>\n Favourite quote: \u201cMy people and I will not settle for anything less than first place\u201d \u2013\u00a0Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.<\/p>\n Citizenship-by-investment programmes<\/p>\n United Kingdom<\/p>\n The UK offers three programmes for residency.\u00a0The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest \u00a350,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest \u00a32 million, \u00a35m or \u00a310m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).<\/p>\n All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.<\/p>\n The Caribbean<\/p>\n Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate.\u00a0From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.\u00a0<\/p>\n Portugal<\/p>\n The investment amount ranges from \u20ac350,000 to \u20ac500,000 (Dh1.5m\u00a0to Dh2.16m) in real estate.\u00a0From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.<\/p>\n \u201cAmong European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,\u201d states Veronica Cotdemiey\u00a0of Citizenship Invest.<\/p>\n Greece<\/p>\n The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is \u20ac250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.<\/p>\n Spain<\/p>\n The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is \u20ac500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.<\/p>\n Cyprus<\/p>\n Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of \u20ac2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.<\/p>\n Malta<\/p>\n The Malta citizenship by investment programme\u00a0is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least \u20ac650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute \u20ac25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute \u20ac50,000 each.<\/p>\n The second step is to make an investment in property of at least \u20ac350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least \u20ac16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least \u20ac150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.<\/p>\n Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.<\/p>\n Egypt\u00a0<\/p>\n A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.<\/p>\n Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties<\/p>\n KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIFavourite things<\/p>\n Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery<\/p>\n Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount<\/p>\n University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor\u2019s degree in business management in China<\/p>\n Masters: Studying part-time for a master\u2019s degree in international business marketing in Dubai<\/p>\n Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China<\/p>\n Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women\u2019s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs<\/p>\n GOLF\u2019S RAHMBO<\/p>\n – 5 wins in 22 months as pro Specs <\/p>\n Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric<\/p>\n Range: Up to 610km<\/p>\n Power: 905hp<\/p>\n Torque: 985Nm<\/p>\n Price: From Dh439,000<\/p>\n Available: Now<\/p>\n Company%20Profile<\/p>\n %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n ELIO<\/p>\n Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett<\/p>\n Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina<\/p>\n Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Khaleeji rap track is topping Spotify\u2019s Viral chart after appearing in a popular yet contentious Bollywood film.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":188303,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[86367,1482,93,61,60,278,1284,329],"class_list":["post-188302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-arts-culture-team","tag-bollywood","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-music","tag-standard","tag-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188302"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188302\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/188303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nOver 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
\nEvacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
\nThe Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
\nArtists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
\nIt has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
\nSince the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
\nUnlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
\nJordan cabinet changesIn<\/p>\n
\n\tDr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
\n\tMajd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
\n\tAzmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
\n\tFalah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
\n\tBasma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
\n\tDr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
\n\tIbrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
\n\tDr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth<\/p>\n
\n\tHala Noaman \u201cBasiso Lattouf\u201d, Minister of Social Development
\n\tDr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
\n\tYahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
\n\tNayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
\n\tMajd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
\n\tKhalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
\n\tDr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
\n\tMounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
\n\tDr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
\n\tMokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
\n\tBasma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture<\/p>\n
– Three wins in past 10 starts
– 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
– Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
– 5th\u00a0player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)<\/p>\n