Army chief backed for presidency Is world ready for a triple- chin Barbie?
Cairo – Egypt’s powerful army chief could be sworn in as elected head of state as soon as April as the country’s army consolidates its grip on power after overthrowing Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist former President.
Supporters of General Abdel Fattah al- Sisi, the favourite for the presidency, have lobbied the civilian interim government to bring presidential elections forward to ensure that a strong elected leader is in place before a potentially divisive parliamentary poll.
The move comes amid increasingly authoritarian rule by the military government, with a team of al- Jazeera journalists, including Peter Greste, an Australian former BBC correspondent, being arrested for holding ‘‘ illegal’’ meetings with Muslim Brotherhood members.
The Interior Ministry accused the journalists of breaking the law by meeting the organisation, which Morsi led and which has been designated a terror group, and for broadcasting news that was ‘‘ damaging to national security’’.
The military’s apparent attempt to place al- Sisi in power comes with possible changes to the country’s transition roadmap. Under the orig- inal version – unveiled after the Army deposed Morsi in July – Egyptians were meant to vote first on a new constitution, followed by elections for parliament and then for the presidency. The draft constitution, which goes to a nationwide referendum this month, leaves open the question of which election should come first.
On Monday, Egypt’s interim President confirmed that the order of the elections could be changed as long as the first is held no more than 90 days after the constitutional referendum.
Egyptian officials said yesterday that such a change looks increasingly certain amid pressure from those who wish to see al- Sisi installed as head of state with a democratic mandate. The general has yet to announce his candidacy, though he has shifted recently from ruling out the possibility to saying he may be open to a run.
Egypt’s powerful security apparatus will be putting pressure on him to run as it continues its drive against Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, officially designated as a terror group last week after a bombing on Christmas Eve claimed by an unconnected Islamist jihadist group based in the Sinai. More than 1000 Morsi supporters have been killed in clashes since his overthrow.
Most secular political parties that backed the military’s intervention to remove Morsi see him as the only man able to restore stability in Egypt after three years of turmoil after the uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak, the former dictator.
Opponents say that al- Sisi’s elevation to head of state will only hasten the return of the old security state. The Islamist Nour party, which came second to the Muslim Brotherhood in the last elections, has warned that secular parties want to push back elections.
This is because they are worried about losing to Islamists again, says Nour. Los Angeles – Not every parent will welcome a discussion involving toys this soon after Christmas. However, an online image of a rather chubby doll has raised a tricky question: is the world ready for a pudgy Barbie?
More than half a century after first going on sale, Barbie continues to be the world’s bestselling doll. The brand has long been synonymous with a controversial ideal of feminine beauty – one involving a head of improbably voluminous blonde hair, and four impossibly lithe limbs.
Now, it has been suggested that Barbie should be available in a ‘‘ plus- size’’ version, which would represent a more common American physique.
A mock- up of what this new Barbie might look like – a plump doll, in pink negligee, with a triple chin – was published on Facebook by Plus- Size- Modeling. com, a blog that offers advice to aspiring plussize models.
‘‘ Should toy companies start making plus- sized Barbie dolls?’’ it asked. ‘‘ In all honesty, we want to know.’’
The post has garnered nearly 42,000 ‘‘ likes’’ and 3000 comments. It has been noted that models with larger physiques might serve both commercial and social ends.
Since more than a third of Americans are obese, demand for clothes in bigger sizes is booming.
Meanwhile, it is argued that more voluptuous models give women a more diverse range of body types to aspire to.
However, there are also concerns that a fat Barbie might encourage unhealthy lifestyles.
On Facebook many wondered whether a more healthily proportioned Barbie would not be a better role model than the image suggested by Plus- SizeModeling. com.
‘‘ Triple chins? Really? I’m a curvy girl, but this is ridiculous,’’ said one commentator.