Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik at a screening of Barbie. Photo: @malala / Instagram
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik at a screening of Barbie. Photo: @malala / Instagram
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik at a screening of Barbie. Photo: @malala / Instagram
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik at a screening of Barbie. Photo: @malala / Instagram

Activists Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg join Barbie craze


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As Barbie continues to take over the world as one of the biggest earning movies of the year, top activists are also joining the pink-infused phenomenon.

On Sunday, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai posted a photo of herself and husband Asser Malik taken at a screening of the movie.

Posing inside a life-size Barbie doll box, she cheekily captioned the photo “This Barbie has a Nobel Prize. He’s just Ken” – a reference to the “This Barbie …” meme that's taken over social media.

Yousafzai, 26, added: “We loved the movie, it was so funny and thoughtful. I hope this caption doesn’t hurt all the Kens as much as the movie Ken.”

While UAE fans will have to wait until August 31 to see Barbie, the Greta Gerwig-directed film has already grossed more than $775 million at the global box office. It's also earned the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film directed by a woman.

The film stars Margot Robbie in the titular role and Ryan Gosling as Ken, and follows them as they set off on an adventure into the real world.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, who joined demonstrators in London to protest against the planned development of the Rosebank oil and gas field, also used an audio clip from the film.

In the audio, Robbie's Barbie asks her fellow Barbies the existential question: “Do you guys ever think about dying?”.

Thunberg's video features the words: “Do you guys ever think about the climate crisis?” along with the names of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, UK Energy Secretary Grant Shapps and energy company Equinor.

Demonstrators want the British government to abolish development of the Rosebank site, believed to be the UK’s largest undeveloped oil and gasfield.

Journalist Christiane Amanpour, known for her war reporting in the 1990s, also posted a photo of herself at a screening with the caption: “This Barbie is a war correspondent.”

First launched in 1959, Barbie is still the most popular doll on the market. Last year alone, Barbie dolls generated $1.49 billion in sales, according to data company Statista.

Barbies have also celebrated inspirational role models over the years.

A doll modelled on American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad – the first hijabi Barbie – was launched in 2018 as part of the Barbie Shero line honouring women who break boundaries. Muhammad was the first American to compete at the Olympics while wearing a hijab, and won a bronze medal in fencing at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad holding the first hijab-wearing Barbie, which was based on her. Photo: Mattel
US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad holding the first hijab-wearing Barbie, which was based on her. Photo: Mattel

In 2019, in honour of Barbie's 60th anniversary and International Women’s Day, Mattel announced 20 new figures based on the likeness of prominent women, including activist and supermodel Adwoa Aboah; conservationist and daughter of the late “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin, Bindi Irwin; actress, model and activist Yara Shahidi; tennis star Naomi Osaka; and film director Ava DuVernay.

British coronavirus vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert was honoured with a Barbie in 2021, while British primatologist Jane Goodall had a doll made in her likeness last year.

“I wanted a doll to be me even before this idea came up. I've seen little girls playing with Barbie dolls and certainly at the beginning, they were all very girlie-girlie, and I thought little girls need some choice,” Goodall said.

More recently in March, British scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who's been praised for her contributions in making space and science accessible to girls, was also honoured with a doll.

  • Los Angeles: Margot Robbie kicked off the global press tour by recreating 2015’s Pink & Fabulous Barbie in a Valentino mini dress. Getty; Mattel
    Los Angeles: Margot Robbie kicked off the global press tour by recreating 2015’s Pink & Fabulous Barbie in a Valentino mini dress. Getty; Mattel
  • Beverly Hills: Robbie co-ordinated with her convertible in a pink Bottega Veneta outfit and custom-pink Manolo Blahnik Jada heels. Photo: Warner Bros
    Beverly Hills: Robbie co-ordinated with her convertible in a pink Bottega Veneta outfit and custom-pink Manolo Blahnik Jada heels. Photo: Warner Bros
  • Seoul: Sparkling Barbie from 1964 was the inspiration for Robbie’s pink Moschino matching set. Getty; Mattel
    Seoul: Sparkling Barbie from 1964 was the inspiration for Robbie’s pink Moschino matching set. Getty; Mattel
  • Seoul: For the premiere in South Korea, the actress wore two outfits inspired by 1985's Day to Night Barbie, including a pink Versace skirt suit for the day look. AFP; Mattel
    Seoul: For the premiere in South Korea, the actress wore two outfits inspired by 1985's Day to Night Barbie, including a pink Versace skirt suit for the day look. AFP; Mattel
  • Seoul: The night version of the look was also Versace, a tulle skirt and sparkling beaded bodice. AFP; Mattel
    Seoul: The night version of the look was also Versace, a tulle skirt and sparkling beaded bodice. AFP; Mattel
  • Mexico City: Robbie drew inspiration from 1992's Totally Hair Barbie, wearing a custom multicoloured dress by Pucci, with Chanel jewellery and a pink Chanel bag. AFP; Mattel
    Mexico City: Robbie drew inspiration from 1992's Totally Hair Barbie, wearing a custom multicoloured dress by Pucci, with Chanel jewellery and a pink Chanel bag. AFP; Mattel
  • Mexico City: Robbie wore a neon pink leather Balmain mini dress, adding a star-shaped belt and earrings to channel 1992's Earring Magic Barbie. EPA; Mattel
    Mexico City: Robbie wore a neon pink leather Balmain mini dress, adding a star-shaped belt and earrings to channel 1992's Earring Magic Barbie. EPA; Mattel
  • Sydney: The actress paid homage to Barbie’s 1959 black-and-white swimming costume in a striped Herve Leger bandage dress. Photo: Warner Bros; Getty
    Sydney: The actress paid homage to Barbie’s 1959 black-and-white swimming costume in a striped Herve Leger bandage dress. Photo: Warner Bros; Getty
  • Sydney: For a Barbie party, the actress wore a blush pink chainmail Versace mini dress. WireImage
    Sydney: For a Barbie party, the actress wore a blush pink chainmail Versace mini dress. WireImage
  • Sydney: Robbie in vintage Versace from the Italian fashion house's autumn/winter 1994 collection for a Barbie celebration party. Getty Images
    Sydney: Robbie in vintage Versace from the Italian fashion house's autumn/winter 1994 collection for a Barbie celebration party. Getty Images
  • Los Angeles: The star wore a hot-pink mini dress by Valentino on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Getty Images
    Los Angeles: The star wore a hot-pink mini dress by Valentino on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Getty Images
  • Las Vegas: To promote the film at CinemaCon, the actress wore a two-piece pink-and-white chequered look by Prada, adding bright pink Christian Louboutin heels. WireImage
    Las Vegas: To promote the film at CinemaCon, the actress wore a two-piece pink-and-white chequered look by Prada, adding bright pink Christian Louboutin heels. WireImage
  • London: For the UK premiere, Robbie channelled Enchanted Evening Barbie from 1960 in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown. Photo: Getty Images / Mattel
    London: For the UK premiere, Robbie channelled Enchanted Evening Barbie from 1960 in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown. Photo: Getty Images / Mattel
  • Los Angeles: The actress wore Schiaparelli couture in homage to the 1960's Solo in the Spotlight Barbie. Photo: EPA / Mattel
    Los Angeles: The actress wore Schiaparelli couture in homage to the 1960's Solo in the Spotlight Barbie. Photo: EPA / Mattel
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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Results

2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili

3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly

Coal Black Mornings

Brett Anderson

Little Brown Book Group 

Pakistan squad

Sarfraz (c), Zaman, Imam, Masood, Azam, Malik, Asif, Sohail, Shadab, Nawaz, Ashraf, Hasan, Amir, Junaid, Shinwari and Afridi

Results

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

Sinopharm vaccine explained

The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades. 

“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.

"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."

This is then injected into the body.

"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.

"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."

The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.

Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.

“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

2019 ASIA CUP POTS

Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand

Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam

Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan

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Updated: July 31, 2023, 8:41 PM