JEDDAH: Friday, Nov.10, marked the birth anniversary of renowned Lebanese singer and actress Sabah nicknamed “Empress of the Lebanese Song.”
In recognition of her talent, Google Doodle commemorated the life of the singer and showed her picture with a group of men and women doing the dabka (folk dance) behind her.
Sabah was born Jeanette Georges Feghali in November 1927. She emerged at a time when the Arab music scene was already crowded with formidable competitors.
Considered a “diva of music” in the Arab world, she released over 50 albums and acted in 98 movies, as well as over 20 Lebanese stage plays.
She had more than 3,500 songs in her repertoire, and was among the first Arab singers to perform at the Olympia in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Sydney Opera House.
Sabah was considered one of the four Lebanese icons along with Fairuz, Wadih El Safi and Samira Tawfiq. She also acquired several affectionate nicknames, including “Shahrourah” and “Sabbouha.”
In addition to being Lebanese, Sabah held Egyptian, Jordanian and US citizenship and continued to perform and make television appearances into her 80s.
In her last years, she did not stop singing, especially on television programs, but her illness and advanced age became an obstacle. She died in her home country, Lebanon, on Nov.26, 2014, at the age of 87.
Al-Shahrourah, a TV drama based on her life, was aired during Ramadan 2011 in which she was portrayed by actress and singer Carole Samaha.
Sabah’s reaction was mostly positive toward the series and she was happy that it was a success, though she commented about certain inaccuracies.
Google Doodle commemorates life of Arab singer Sabah
Google Doodle commemorates life of Arab singer Sabah
Christmas Eve winner in Arkansas lands a $1.817 billion Powerball lottery jackpot
- The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19
- The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve was in 2011, Powerball said
ARKANSAS, USA: A Powerball ticket purchased at a gas station outside Little Rock, Arkansas, won a $1.817 billion jackpot in Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing, ending the lottery game’s three-month stretch without a top-prize winner.
The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. The winning ticket was sold at a Murphy USA in Cabot, lottery officials in Arkansas said Thursday. No one answered the phone Thursday at the location, which was closed for Christmas. The community of roughly 27,000 people is 26 miles (42 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.
Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot higher than previous expected, making it the second-largest in US history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025, according to www.powerball.com. The jackpot had a lump sum cash payment option of $834.9 million.
“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, was quoted as saying by the website. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak — every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”
The prize followed 46 consecutive drawings in which no one matched all six numbers.
The last drawing with a jackpot winner was Sept. 6, when players in Missouri and Texas won $1.787 billion.
Organizers said it is the second time the Powerball jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas. It first happened in 2010.
The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve was in 2011, Powerball said. The company added that the sweepstakes also has been won on Christmas Day four times, most recently in 2013.
Powerball’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes.
“With the prize so high, I just bought one kind of impulsively. Why not?” Indianapolis glass artist Chris Winters said Wednesday.
Tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
