Death of Egyptian MP's son linked to 'Blue Whale' suicide trend

Updated 04 April 2018
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Death of Egyptian MP's son linked to 'Blue Whale' suicide trend

  • The Blue Whale "game" has been linked to several suicides around the world
  • The 18-year-old son of former Egyptian MP Hamdy  El-Fakharany was found hanged in his bedroom

CAIRO: An 18-year-old son of a former Egyptian MP is believed to be the latest victim of a suicide-linked “game” after he was found hanged inside his room this week.
Local press reported that Khalid, the son of former Egyptian MP Hamdy  El-Fakharany, was discovered dead in his room along with notes and diagrams scribbled on bits of paper, thought to be written by the victim. 
The victim’s older siblings took to social media to warn against the “Blue Whale” phenomenon, which they blamed for their brother’s death. 
The victim’s sister, Yasmine El-Fakharany, said: “My brother was playing the Blue Whale.. we found papers and symbols of the game among his belongings.” 
 “I beg you, don't challenge yourselves and try the game. No one was as strong and as religious as Khalid, yet he challenged it, and it defeated him,” the sister wrote.    
Yasmine shared a picture of the notes which had been found in the victim’s room. There was a small drawing of a whale, which she said is a symbol of the deadly game. Also in the notes was a message written in English that read: “I’ve felt alone...”
The game makes young players join an online challenge where “leaders” order them to kill themselves after completing a 50-task challenge. 
Believed to have started in Russia in 2013, the game includes tasks like self-harm, and waking up in the middle of the night to watch psychedelic horror videos.
The disturbing online “game” has been linked to the deaths of several young people around the world. Some Arab countries, including Tunisia and Algeria, have already warned people against playing it. 


Harry Styles announces first album in 4 years, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’

Updated 16 January 2026
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Harry Styles announces first album in 4 years, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’

  • It follows the critically acclaimed synth pop “Harry’s House,” which earned the former One Direction star album of the year at the 2023 Grammy Awards
  • “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” will contain 12 tracks and is executive produced by Kid Harpoon

NEW YORK: In this world, it’s just him: Harry Styles has announced that his long-awaited, fourth studio album will arrive this spring.
Titled “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” and out March 6, the album is Styles’ first full-length project in four years. It follows the 2022, critically acclaimed synth pop record “Harry’s House,” which earned the former One Direction star the top prize of album of the year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
In a review, The Associated Press celebrated “Harry’s House” for showcasing “a breadth of style that matches the album’s emotional range.”
On Instagram, Styles’ shared the cover artwork for “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” which features the 31-year-old artist in a T-shirt and jeans at night, standing underneath a shimmering disco ball hung outside.
According to a press release, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” will contain 12 tracks and is executive produced by Kid Harpoon. The British songwriter and producer has been a close collaborator of Styles’ since the beginning of his solo career, working on all of his albums since the singer’s 2017 self-titled debut.
“Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” is now available for preorder.
It is also Styles’ first project since his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne died in 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.