From left: Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie are all known for their activism. AFP, EPA, Reuters
From left: Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie are all known for their activism. AFP, EPA, Reuters
From left: Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie are all known for their activism. AFP, EPA, Reuters
From left: Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie are all known for their activism. AFP, EPA, Reuters

24 celebrity activists, from Jane Fonda to Angelina Jolie and Natalie Portman


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

It's relatively rare these days to find a celebrity who hasn't lent their voice to a good cause, whether that's for personal passion projects or a spot of good publicity.

However, there are some stars so entrenched in activism that their work in this area has become almost as famous as the career that made them a household name in the first place.

As a number of A-listers spoke out and protested against anti-Asian hate crimes in the US this week, we round up some of the most famous celebrity activists alive today, who speak out on everything from women's rights to environmental causes and matters of social justice.

This list is in alphabetical order.

Amandla Stenberg

The American actress and singer might only be 22, but she's already been making waves for years. In 2015 and 2016, the The Hate U Give star was named one of Time's Most Influential Teens, as well as the magazine's Next Generation Leaders in 2018.

Amandla Stenberg in 'The Hate U Give'. Courtesy 20th Century Fox
Amandla Stenberg in 'The Hate U Give'. Courtesy 20th Century Fox

Her activism dates back years, to when she produced a Tumblr video called Don't Cash Crop My Cornrows as a school project, sparking conversation about cultural appropriation, and she's continued to use her social media platforms to advocate human rights and feminist issues.

In 2019, she was given the Visibility Award, by Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights organisation dedicated to achieving LGBTQ+ equality.

America Ferrera

The Ugly Betty star and Ted speaker was born in California to Honduran parents and has been fighting the good fight for Latino rights.

Along with nine other Latina leaders, actresses and activists, Ferrera launched She Se Puede in 2020, a digital platform and community dedicated to empowering Latin American citizens during election year.

Actress America Ferrera speaks to the crowd during the Women’s March on Washington in 2017. AP Photo
Actress America Ferrera speaks to the crowd during the Women’s March on Washington in 2017. AP Photo

She's also an author, having released a bestselling book called American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, a collection of first-person accounts of growing up between cultures in America, and co-founder of Harness, a community of artists and grass roots leaders who provide education and engagement opportunities to social justice organisations and activists.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is as much known as a humanitarian as she is Hollywood royalty. She's actively involved in a number of causes, including conservation, education and women's rights, but she's perhaps best known for her role as a Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, a title she was given in 2012, after more than 10 years of being a Goodwill Ambassador for the agency.

Angelina Jolie is greeted by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the UN Headquarters in New York City in 2017. Reuters
Angelina Jolie is greeted by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the UN Headquarters in New York City in 2017. Reuters

In this role, the Tomb Raider star focuses on major crises that result in mass population displacements, representing the UNHCR at a diplomatic level and helping find solutions for people forced to flee their homes.

Bono

You can't very well talk about celebrity activists without bringing up one of the most famous philanthropists of all time (next to Bob Geldof), although the Irish musician has not been without his critics.

The U2 frontman was one of those Geldof enlisted to sing on the Band Aid track Do They Know It's Christmas? in 1984 (which has also since received plenty of criticism for its portrayal of Africans, among other things), and has performed at a number of politically motivated concerts throughout his four-decade music career.

He's known to have championed causes as wide-ranging as debt relief to Aids awareness, and worked with non-profits such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace.

Bono, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, has always been particularly active in matters relating to Africa, and has founded a number of non-profit organisations, including One Campaign, an advocacy and campaigning group that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease across the world.

Emma Watson

It's possible that, to this day, Emma Watson is best-known for two things: for taking on the role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, and for her outspokenness on women's rights.

The British actress was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in 2014 and dedicates time to empowering young women, serving as an advocate on the HeForShe campaign, which promotes gender equality.

George Clooney

George Clooney is another famous philanthropist who is active in a number of causes, alongside his wife, Amal, a Lebanese-born British human rights lawyer. Together they work on the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which advocates justice through accountability for human rights abuses around the world.

Amal and George Clooney donated a large sum to Lebanese relief charities after the Beirut port explosion in 2020. AP Photo
Amal and George Clooney donated a large sum to Lebanese relief charities after the Beirut port explosion in 2020. AP Photo

A number of causes close to the Syriana actor's heart, aside from general human rights abuses, include gun control, the refugee crisis and LGBTQ+ rights.

Clooney is a former UN Messenger for Peace, however he stepped down saying he no longer had time for the role.

Gul Panag

The former Miss India is one of Bollywood's most famous activists. She runs The Col Shamsher Singh Foundation, named after the commander of the Sikh Regimental Centre of the Indian Army, which focuses on a variety of causes, including gender equality, education and disaster management.

Panag has also had a career in politics, and was the Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Chandigarh for the 2014 Indian general election, in which she came third.

Gul Panag presents a cap to a street vendor as she campaigns before the national elections in Chandigarh in 2014. AFP
Gul Panag presents a cap to a street vendor as she campaigns before the national elections in Chandigarh in 2014. AFP

Jane Fonda

The Grace and Frankie actress is not only a veteran in Hollywood, but also has decades of protesting and activism under her stylish belt. Even in her eighties, she's as committed a rebel as she ever was, speaking for a range of causes, from women's rights to Black Lives Matter.

Actress Jane Fonda attends the women’s march in Los Angeles in 2017. AFP
Actress Jane Fonda attends the women’s march in Los Angeles in 2017. AFP

She was arrested five times in 2019 for her Fire Drill Friday protests, weekly demonstrations on Capitol Hill to demand that action by political leaders be taken to address the climate emergency. She even continued these virtually amid the pandemic.

Kim Kardashian

She's known for many things, but in recent years Kim Kardashian has become renowned in the world of criminal justice reform, as she trains to become a lawyer.

The reality TV star speaks for those wrongly jailed, and became particularly passionate about the cause after successfully petitioning former US president Donald Trump for clemency in the case of Alice Marie Johnson, who had been sentenced to life in prison for a nonviolent drug-related crime.

A feature-length documentary, Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project, reveals more on the case and others close to Kardashian's heart.

Lady Gaga

The American singer-songwriter and actress, born Stefani Germanotta, may be known for her wild outfits and out-there antics, but she's got a much more humble and soft side to her.

Her brand of activism and charitable giving is mostly directed at mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. That's why, in 2012, she founded with her mother the Born This Way Foundation, a non-profit that supports the mental health of young people and works with them to "create a kinder and braver world".

She's also been a supporter of a wide range of other movements, from Artists Against Fracking to Black Lives Matter and the relief efforts from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Easily one of the most famous environmentalists in Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio has been vocal for our planet for decades. In 1998, the Titanic star founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, with a mission to protect the world's last wild places. This includes programmes on wildlands and ocean conservation, climate change, indigenous rights and coming up with innovative solutions to dire global problems.

DiCaprio is also a UN Messenger of Peace of Climate Change and sits on the boards of several environmental organisations, including the World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic Society's Pristine Seas and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

He also produced the 2016 documentary Before the Flood, in which he meets scientists, activists and world leaders to discuss the dangers of climate change and possible solutions.

Mark Ruffalo

Most people will know Mark Ruffalo is a very good actor, but it's possible not everyone knows the Now You See Me star is also a staunch environmental activist.

He's particularly anti-fracking and also founded the non-profit organisation Water Defence, which aims to advocate safe, clean water practices by performing testing in contaminated areas, as well as raising awareness of information and resources to combat water pollution. The group has also worked to ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking), used to extract oil and gas from the earth, in New York and Colorado.

Mark Ruffalo in a scene from 'The Normal Heart'. AP / HBO
Mark Ruffalo in a scene from 'The Normal Heart'. AP / HBO

Michael J Fox

The Canadian-American may have retired as an actor, but his activist work continues with The Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research.

The Hollywood actor, who is well-known for the Back to the Future films, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, when he was only 29.

In 2000, he founded his organisation, which today is the world's largest non-profit funder of Parkinson's drug development.

In the 1980s, Michael J Fox appeared in the 'Back to the Future' films. Alamy
In the 1980s, Michael J Fox appeared in the 'Back to the Future' films. Alamy

Morgan Freeman

If you're a fan of environmental and wildlife documentaries, you'll know Morgan Freeman's voice well, as he's lent his smooth vocal cords to titles such as March of the Penguins, Born to be Wild and Island of Lemurs: Madagascar.

The Seven actor also helped form the Grenada Relief Fund in 2004, to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada, and turned his ranch into a bee sanctuary after learning about the decline of honeybees.

He's vocal on racial issues in America, too.

Natalie Portman

You might remember Natalie Portman wearing a cape embroidered with the names of snubbed female directors at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020, but gender equality is not the only thing the Black Swan actress is vocal about.

Natalie Portman arrived at the 2020 Academy Awards wearing a cape embroidered with the names of snubbed female directors. EPA
Natalie Portman arrived at the 2020 Academy Awards wearing a cape embroidered with the names of snubbed female directors. EPA

Portman is a long-time vegetarian-turned-vegan and supporter of animal rights, having narrated a documentary called Eating Animals.

She is also involved in anti-poverty campaigns and is an ambassador for Foundation for International Community Assistance (Finca). The Israeli-born star is also a member of the OneVoice Movement, a global initiative that supports grass roots activists around the world helping to find solutions for issues in Israel and Palestine.

Rahul Bose

Rahul Bose, a notable Indian actor, director and screenwriter, is possibly one of the most prolific activists from the country's entertainment industry.

Pooja Bhatt and Rahul Bose in the Netflix series 'Bombay Begums'. Courtesy Netflix
Pooja Bhatt and Rahul Bose in the Netflix series 'Bombay Begums'. Courtesy Netflix

In 2007, he launched The Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to removing discrimination from all walks of life.

The former rugby player was Oxfam's first global ambassador from the eastern hemisphere, and launched the charity's India initiative on climate change in 2009. He was also heavily involved in the grass roots initiative Planet Alert, and was the first Indian to deliver lectures for Climate Action Network to the South Asian-Canadian community on the global politics of climate change.

He has worked with many famous NGOs over the years, delivered many talks and even won awards, all in the name of social and environmental justice.

Reese Witherspoon

A woman of many talents, Reese Witherspoon is known for her acting and business prowess, as well as her writing skills and ability to spot a great book.

She's also spent many years fighting for greater representation in Hollywood of women, people of colour, LGBTQ people and those with disabilities.

This is one of the reasons why she founded her media brand Hello Sunshine, as it "puts women at the centre of every story we create, celebrate and discover".

Regina King

American actress and director Regina King was the first celebrity to commit to the 4% Challenge by non-profit Time's Up, which urged industry leaders to take a pledge to work with a female director.

She also wrote in a USA Today op-ed in 2019 that she made a commitment to, within two years, have women make up 50 per cent of the crew for projects she produces. While the pandemic may have slowed this goal, King continues to speak out on gender issues.

Regina King poses with the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'If Beale Street Could Talk' in 2019. AP Photo
Regina King poses with the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'If Beale Street Could Talk' in 2019. AP Photo

The If Beale Street Could Talk star is also passionate about helping at-risk children, and is a supporter of the "I Have a Dream" Foundation.

Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed is a great actor. So great, in fact, he is the first Muslim nominee in the Best Actor category at the Oscars. But the English star is also an activist, known for raising funds for Syrian refugee children and advocating more representation at the UK Parliament's House of Commons, according to Time magazine, which named him one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2017.

Actor Riz Ahmed arrives for the Time 100 Gala in 2017. Reuters
Actor Riz Ahmed arrives for the Time 100 Gala in 2017. Reuters

The Sound of Metal star has also been involved in raising awareness of and funds for Rohingya refugees.

Rose McGowan

While perhaps not an activist in the same sense as others on this list, the Charmed actress deserves a special mention after she was among the first to go public with rape accusations against Harvey Weinstein. She has since been named as one of The Silence Breakers, Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2017, for her prominent role in sparking the #MeToo movement.

The American actress has written a memoir, Brave, about her sexual assault and her childhood living as part of the controversial group Children of God.

Rose McGowan has been one of the most outspoken members of the #MeToo movement. Getty Images
Rose McGowan has been one of the most outspoken members of the #MeToo movement. Getty Images

Shailene Woodley

You might recognise Shailene Woodley, an American actress and film producer, from the film Divergent or series Big Little Lies, but then again you might remember her face from the protests she's been part of, too. In particular, she made headlines when she was arrested after protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016.

Actress Shailene Woodley speaks during a rally on Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. AFP
Actress Shailene Woodley speaks during a rally on Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. AFP

The award-winning activist is very into all matters relating to the health of our planet, from joining researchers on a Greenpeace sea expedition right down to making her own toothpaste.

In 2010, she co-founded with her mother the non-profit organisation All It Takes, a youth leadership programme to educate young people on compassion and responsibility for the environment.

A couple of years ago, Woodley also became an Ocean Ambassador for Greenpeace and embarked on an expedition to study the impact of plastics and microplastics on marine life.

Sonu Sood

The Indian actor, producer and model's social work has reached a peak during the Covid-19 pandemic, as he arranged transportation for migrants stuck in Indian cities to go back to their hometowns and villages.

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood launched ‘Taxi Drivers Wellness Week’ at Thumbay Hospital Dubai. Courtesy Thumbay Hospital Dubai
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood launched ‘Taxi Drivers Wellness Week’ at Thumbay Hospital Dubai. Courtesy Thumbay Hospital Dubai

For this, he was given the SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations Development Programme, and on Saturday, was honoured by SpiceJet airline with a special livery on its planes with an image of the Arundhati star and a line that read, "A salute to the saviour Sonu Sood".

Yara Shahidi

You know you're a successful activist when even Michelle Obama takes notice. That's what happened to American model and actress Yara Shahidi, as the former first lady went on to write her a letter of recommendation to Harvard University.

Yara Shahidi was on the cover of 'Glamour' for its women of the year issue. Reuters
Yara Shahidi was on the cover of 'Glamour' for its women of the year issue. Reuters

So what does she advocate? A number of things, including poverty, voting, women's rights and even actor Jussie Smollett.

In 2018, the black-ish and grown.ish star launched Eighteen x 18, an initiative that urged young Americans to vote in that year's mid-term elections.

Zahra Lari

Zahra Lari made history not just by becoming the first figure skater from the UAE to compete internationally, but also for convincing the International Skating Union to change their rules to allow Muslim skaters to cover their hair.

Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari wears Nike's Pro Hijab. AP
Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari wears Nike's Pro Hijab. AP

The Emirati sports star then became the first professional figure skater to compete internationally wearing a headscarf, and went on to appear in a world-famous ad campaign for the Nike Pro hijab.

Lari has been inspiring Muslim girls all over the world through her bravery ever since.

_________________

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_________________

Company profile

Name: Fruitful Day

Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2015

Number of employees: 30

Sector: F&B

Funding so far: Dh3 million

Future funding plans: None at present

Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The biog

Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.

Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking

Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran

OPENING FIXTURES

Saturday September 12

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Fulham v Arsenal

Liverpool v Leeds United

Tottenham v Everton

West Brom v Leicester

West Ham  v Newcastle

Monday  September 14

Brighton v Chelsea

Sheffield United v Wolves

To be rescheduled

Burnley v Manchester United

Manchester City v Aston Villa

My Country: A Syrian Memoir

Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury

Copa del Rey

Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmonovo%20(previously%20Marj3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECairo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2016%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeducation%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ethree%20rounds%2C%20undisclosed%20amount%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

North Pole stats

Distance covered: 160km

Temperature: -40°C

Weight of equipment: 45kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 0

Terrain: Ice rock

South Pole stats

Distance covered: 130km

Temperature: -50°C

Weight of equipment: 50kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300

Terrain: Flat ice
 

Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli

Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

MATCH INFO

Chelsea 0

Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')

Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)

Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

MATCH INFO

CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures

Tuesday:

Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)

Second legs:

October 23

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Race 3

Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars

RESULT

Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds:
 Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')

Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)

FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)

Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)

Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)

Playing September 30

Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)

Company profile

Company name: Dharma

Date started: 2018

Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: TravelTech

Funding stage: Pre-series A 

Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

The bio

His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard

Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece

Favourite movie - The Last Emperor

Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great

Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos

 

 

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Baftas 2020 winners

BEST FILM

  • 1917 - Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Sam Mendes, Jayne-Ann Tenggren
  • THE IRISHMAN - Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
  • JOKER - Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino
  • PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho, Kwak Sin-ae

DIRECTOR

  • 1917 - Sam Mendes
  • THE IRISHMAN - Martin Scorsese
  • JOKER - Todd Phillips
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Quentin Tarantino
  • PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM

  • 1917 - Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
  • BAIT - Mark Jenkin, Kate Byers, Linn Waite
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • ROCKETMAN - Dexter Fletcher, Adam Bohling, David Furnish, David Reid, Matthew Vaughn, Lee Hall
  • SORRY WE MISSED YOU  - Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien, Paul Laverty
  • THE TWO POPES - Fernando Meirelles, Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin, Tracey Seaward, Anthony McCarten

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

  • THE FAREWELL - Lulu Wang, Daniele Melia
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • PAIN AND GLORY - Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar
  • PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho
  • PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE - Céline Sciamma, Bénédicte Couvreur

LEADING ACTRESS

  • JESSIE BUCKLEY - Wild Rose
  • SCARLETT JOHANSSON - Marriage Story
  • SAOIRSE RONAN - Little Women
  • CHARLIZE THERON - Bombshell
  • RENÉE ZELLWEGER - Judy

LEADING ACTOR

  • LEONARDO DICAPRIO - Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
  • ADAM DRIVER - Marriage Story
  • TARON EGERTON - Rocketman
  • JOAQUIN PHOENIX - Joker
  • JONATHAN PRYCE - The Two Popes

SUPPORTING ACTOR

  • TOM HANKS - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
  • ANTHONY HOPKINS - The Two Popes
  • AL PACINO - The Irishman
  • JOE PESCI - The Irishman
  • BRAD PITT - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

  • LAURA DERN - Marriage Story
  • SCARLETT JOHANSSON - Jojo Rabbit
  • FLORENCE PUGH - Little Women
  • MARGOT ROBBIE - Bombshell
  • MARGOT ROBBIE - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

  • THE IRISHMAN - Steven Zaillian
  • JOJO RABBIT - Taika Waititi
  • JOKER - Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
  • LITTLE WOMEN - Greta Gerwig
  • THE TWO POPES - Anthony McCarten

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

  • BOOKSMART - Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Katie Silberman
  • KNIVES OUT - Rian Johnson
  • MARRIAGE STORY - Noah Baumbach
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Quentin Tarantino
  • PARASITE - Han Jin Won, Bong Joon ho

DOCUMENTARY

  • AMERICAN FACTORY - Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
  • APOLLO 11 - Todd Douglas Miller
  • DIEGO MARADONA - Asif Kapadia
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • THE GREAT HACK - Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaime

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER

  • BAIT - Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director), Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Producers)
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab (Director/Producer), Edward Watts (Director)
  • MAIDEN - Alex Holmes (Director)
  • ONLY YOU - Harry Wootliff (Writer/Director)
  • RETABLO - Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio (Writer/Director)

ANIMATED FILM

  • FROZEN 2 - Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho
  • KLAUS - Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh
  • A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON - Will Becher, Richard Phelan, Paul Kewley
  • TOY STORY 4 - Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen

CASTING

  • JOKER - Shayna Markowitz
  • MARRIAGE STORY - Douglas Aibel, Francine Maisler
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Victoria Thomas
  • THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD - Sarah Crowe
  • THE TWO POPES - Nina Gold

EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)

  • AWKWAFINA
  • JACK LOWDEN
  • KAITLYN DEVER
  • KELVIN HARRISON JR.
  • MICHEAL WARD

CINEMATOGRAPHY

  • 1917 - Roger Deakins
  • THE IRISHMAN - Rodrigo Prieto
  • JOKER - Lawrence Sher
  • LE MANS ’66 - Phedon Papamichael
  • THE LIGHTHOUSE - Jarin Blaschke

EDITING

  • THE IRISHMAN - Thelma Schoonmaker
  • JOJO RABBIT - Tom Eagles
  • JOKER - Jeff Groth
  • LE MANS ’66 - Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Fred Raskin

COSTUME DESIGN

  • THE IRISHMAN - Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell
  • JOJO RABBIT - Mayes C. Rubeo
  • JUDY - Jany Temime
  • LITTLE WOMEN - Jacqueline Durran
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Arianne Phillips

PRODUCTION DESIGN

  • 1917 - Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
  • THE IRISHMAN - Bob Shaw, Regina Graves
  • JOJO RABBIT - Ra Vincent, Nora Sopková
  • JOKER - Mark Friedberg, Kris Moran
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh

SOUND

  • 1917 - Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
  • JOKER - Tod Maitland, Alan Robert Murray, Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic
  • LE MANS ’66 - David Giammarco, Paul Massey, Steven A. Morrow, Donald Sylvester
  • ROCKETMAN - Matthew Collinge, John Hayes, Mike Prestwood Smith, Danny Sheehan
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Wood

ORIGINAL SCORE

  • 1917 - Thomas Newman
  • JOJO RABBIT - Michael Giacchino
  • JOKER - Hildur Guđnadóttir
  • LITTLE WOMEN - Alexandre Desplat
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - John Williams

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

  • 1917 - Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy
  • AVENGERS: ENDGAME - Dan Deleeuw, Dan Sudick
  • THE IRISHMAN - Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman
  • THE LION KING - Andrew R. Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy

MAKE UP & HAIR

  • 1917 - Naomi Donne
  • BOMBSHELL - Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
  • JOKER - Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann
  • JUDY - Jeremy Woodhead
  • ROCKETMAN - Lizzie Yianni Georgiou

BRITISH SHORT FILM

  • AZAAR - Myriam Raja, Nathanael Baring
  • GOLDFISH - Hector Dockrill, Harri Kamalanathan, Benedict Turnbull, Laura Dockrill
  • KAMALI - Sasha Rainbow, Rosalind Croad
  • LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) - Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva
  • THE TRAP - Lena Headey, Anthony Fitzgerald

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION

  • GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC - Maryam Mohajer
  • IN HER BOOTS - Kathrin Steinbacher
  • THE MAGIC BOAT  - Naaman Azh
MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

SPEC SHEET

Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD  dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz

Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core

Memory: 8/12GB RAM

Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB

Platform: Android 12

Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW

Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps

Front camera: 40MP f/2.2

Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC

I/O: USB-C

SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano

Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red

Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

DC%20League%20of%20Super-Pets
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Jared%20Stern%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Dwayne%20Johnson%2C%20Kevin%20Hart%2C%20John%20Krasinski%2C%20Keanu%20Reeves%2C%20Olivia%20Wilde%2C%20Kate%20McKinnon%2C%20Jameela%20Jamil%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE

1: Quinoa 

2. Bathua 

3. Amaranth 

4. Pearl and finger millet 

5. Sorghum

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

EA Sports FC 25
match info

Manchester United 3 (Martial 7', 44', 74')

Sheffield United 0

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Janeen%20Damian%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Lindsay%20Lohan%2C%20Chord%20Overstreet%2C%20Jack%20Wagner%2C%20Aliana%20Lohan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIXTURES

Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE