The British cover of Vogue magazine recently split opinion, provoking both praise and criticism. The March issue features Grammy-winning recording artist Rihanna striking a dominant pose – chin raised, shoulders back. Unsmiling, the diva is photographed leading by hand Asap Rocky, a prominent US rapper, along a beach, with Asap holding the couple's infant son in a nurturing posture, trailing behind. Most of the criticism directed at the image talks about the emasculation of Asap and the idea of an assault on manliness.
The critics could easily be dismissed as reading too much into the image. It is a fashion magazine; it's not that deep. However, this particular outcry is not an isolated incident. It is another episode, albeit a minor one, in an ongoing debate about traditional masculinity and perceived attempts to reshape it.
For example, in 2019, a YouTube ad for Gillette men's razors provoked outrage when it clumsily attempted to co-opt the #MeToo sentiment to help sell its products. Aiming to appeal to millennials by targeting "toxic masculinity", the ad portrayed men behaving badly and, in a play on the brand's slogan, rhetorically asked: "Is this the best a man can get? Is it?"
The backlash was instant. Many complainants felt that the ad went too far, lampooning and stereotyping males as nothing but brutes, bullies or sexual predators. Others contested that some activities portrayed in the ad – for instance, young boys play-fighting – were not indisputably toxic. Other critics of the ad were equally outraged by what they saw as a blatant case of "woke-washing": the opportunistic exploitation of social issues for commercial gain.
An article in Forbes magazine attempted to quantify the Gillette backlash. The numbers were big. The ad received over a quarter of a million dislikes (thumbs down) on YouTube with a negative-to-positive comment ratio of around 10 to 1.
The perceived media assault on manliness has also fuelled the rise of the "Manosphere", an online space where bloggers, podcasters and social media personalities promote ideas concerning men's rights, masculinity and what it means to be a man. The follower count and popularity of divisive influencers such as Andrew Tate are testimony to the growing numbers of young men and women open to such messages. Unfortunately, while many notions being pushed in the manosphere are harmless, perhaps even helpful, others are antisocial and misogynistic.
Beyond the media, however, the assault on traditional masculinity is also perceived as coming from professional quarters. For instance, the American Psychological Association (APA) recently published guidance for therapists working with boys and men. This influential document cautions that: "extreme forms of certain traditional masculine traits are linked to aggression, misogyny, and negative health outcomes".
Rather than toxic masculinity, we might talk about healthy masculinity, prosocial masculinity and compassionate masculinity
The traits described as "traditionally masculine" include emotional stoicism (being calm and collected), competitiveness, self-reliance, dominance and aggression. The guidance further suggests that "conforming to traditional masculinity has been shown to limit males' psychological development and negatively influence mental and physical health".
Many psychologists have openly criticised the APA's guidance. Writing in Psychology Today, Rob Whitley, associate professor at McGill University, described the guidance as the "pathologisation of traditional masculinity". The controversial Canadian psychologist, Jordan Peterson, refers to it as "an all-out assault on… men". This contentious debate will rage on: what exactly is healthy masculinity?
Unfortunately, much of the focus has, to date, been negative. For example, most discussions on the topic get wrapped up in ill-defined deficit concepts such as "toxic masculinity". Which traits are toxic, and who gets to decide? Reactive attempts to detoxify masculinity run the risk of throwing the nutrients out with the toxins. Furthermore, masculinity overlaps with other elements of identity, such as culture, ethnicity and religion. Failing to consider these intersections results in a homogenised (monocultural) view of masculinity, a distorted and misleading oversimplification.
It makes more sense to speak about varieties of masculinity, taking a broad, constructive, and positive approach toward understanding manliness. Similarly, rather than toxic masculinity, we might talk about healthy masculinity, prosocial masculinity and compassionate masculinity. Opting to identify positive masculine traits that benefit the holder, his family and the wider community.
Notions of masculinity are, to a large extent, culturally transmitted. Role models, the people we hold up as heroes, exemplars and paragons, shape our ideals and aspirations. There is no shortage of such positive male role models, historical and living. Celebrating such people, their lives and work, is integral to preserving and promoting healthy masculinity.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Sevilla v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad (7.15pm)
Eibar v Valencia (9.30pm)
Atletico Madrid v Alaves (11.45pm)
Sunday
Girona v Getafe (3pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7.15pm)
Las Palmas v Espanyol (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna (11.45pm)
Monday
Malaga v Real Betis (midnight)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Match will be shown on BeIN Sports
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
ENGLAND TEAM
Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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
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