The G7 summit is well and truly under way in Cornwall, with the leaders of the world's seven most advanced economies gathered to discuss trade, the coronavirus and unity.
To welcome the leaders to British shores, Queen Elizabeth II hosted an early evening soiree on Friday, attended by the leaders and their partners, as well as members of the British royal family.
Held at the Eden Project, which describes itself as "the largest rainforest in captivity", the domed eco-tourism resort's lush green planting provided a verdant backdrop for the event.
Joining the Queen was the US President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr Jill Biden. Entering via a floral archway, the president wore a classic cut black suit with a striped tie, a look discreetly echoed in the dark piping of the Gabriela Hearst trench coat worn by his wife. Underneath, she wore a dark floral dress, paired with dark navy pumps and a Larroude's Erin clutch.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wore a dark grey suit and blue tie, while his new wife, Carrie Johnson, championed a British brand, wearing a floral dress by The Vampire's Wife. With its sleek lines, and flounced sleeves, the brand, founded by former model Susie Cave, is a fashion favourite. Johnson paired her dress with yellow gold Prada sling-backs and a yellow gold Dionysus bag by Gucci.
Earlier in the day, Carrie shook up convention when she wore a bright pink Roksanda dress to meet with the US first lady. Rented, rather than bought, the dress highlighted Carrie's preference for a more environmentally friendly approach. She also rented her wedding dress for her recent marriage to the prime minister. Designed by Greek name Christos Costarellos, the look was hired from the dress rental site, MyWardrobe HQ.
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, arrived at the event wearing a crisp white, semi-fitted Alexander McQueen coat dress, snugly tailored through the torso, before fanning out into knife pleats. She paired the look with neutral pumps. Her husband, Prince William, opted for a slim-cut dark navy suit, and a blue tie.
The queen, meanwhile, chose a cream dress covered in tendrils of leaves and flowers, paying homage to her surroundings.
The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, wore a mid blue pinstripe suit, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, wore an intricately patterned blue and white dress, paired with classic two-toned Chanel shoes.
The Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also wore a classical dark navy suit, while his wife, Mariko, wore a simple fitted jacket and skirt in soft grey, with floral embroidery around the neckline and hips.
Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, arrived wearing a sophisticated white ensemble, featuring a funnel neck, shoulder buttons and a bias cut skirt. It was her third look for the day, having arrived to the UK wearing a knee-length, boucle tweed Chanel coat, before changing into a bold, royal blue coat and matching shift dress, with Eyeline pumps by Louis Vuitton – one of her favourite brands.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, chose to go against the grain, wearing a pale grey fitted suit, with a pale pink tie and light brown shoes.
The three-day summit is expected to end with an agreement to share a billion vaccine doses around the world by the end of 2022.
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
New Zealand 57-0 South Africa
Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
