Acclaimed Lebanese Singer Sammy Clark Passes Away

Sammy Clark.
Sammy Clark.
TT

Acclaimed Lebanese Singer Sammy Clark Passes Away

Sammy Clark.
Sammy Clark.

Acclaimed Lebanese singer Sammy Clark passed on Sunday after suffering heart problems.

Clark, 73, was a singer, composer and musician, who set himself apart from his peers by singing in both Arabic and foreign languages.

Born Sammy Hobeika on May 19, 1948, he started off his career by joining the military band. He would eventually earn dozens of music awards from Bulgaria, Germany, France, Greece and Austria.

He shot to stardom in the late 1960s and 70s, using the range of his operatic voice to sing western songs. One of his most famous songs was "Mory Mory," which he sang in English.

He also sang in French, Italian, Armenian, Greek, German and Russian, successfully blending them was with Arab lyrics.

A whole generation of Lebanese children grew up to Clark during the 1980s and 90s when he shot further into stardom by singing the opening credits of anime cartoons, such as Grendizer and Treasure Island.

Celebrities and personalities across the Arab world tweeted their condolences and sorrow over Clark's passing.



FIFA Signs Netflix to US Broadcast Deal for Women's World Cup in 2027, 2031

The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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FIFA Signs Netflix to US Broadcast Deal for Women's World Cup in 2027, 2031

The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

FIFA has signed Netflix to a United States broadcast deal for the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031.

The deal announced Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not given.

World Cups are typically broadcast on free-to-air public networks to reach the biggest audiences.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly criticized public broadcasters, especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament that was played in Australia and New Zealand. That tournament was broadcast by Fox in the US, The AP reported.

"This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game," Infantino said Friday in a statement.

FIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters that will be more hardball negotiations.

The 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027 will be played in Brazil from June 24-July 25. The 2031 host has not been decided, though the US is expected to bid.

Spain won the 2023 tournament after the US won the two previous titles.

Netflix dipped into live sports last month with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul.