He may not have his hands on Britain’s nuclear codes (yet), but self-confessed Coca-Cola addict Rishi Sunak has raised eyebrows for keeping a Star Wars-themed Coke bomb on his desk at all times.
The UK finance minister was pictured with the red device in photos released by Treasury officials ahead of Mr Sunak’s second budget on Wednesday.
As well as his addiction to Coca-Cola, Mr Sunak is also a huge Star Wars fan, collecting lightsabers, attending midnight premieres of the films and buying a Lego baby Yoda as a Christmas present "for the kids".
Asked about the curious item, a Treasury source told Politico: "It is a Coke in the shape of a Star Wars grenade called a 'thermal detonator'."
The "bomb" is actually a palm-sized drink bottle meant to resemble the grenade-style weapon wielded by Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi, featuring the Coca-Cola branding in the style of the Aurebesh alphabet featured in the films. The bottles vary in price from about £7 to £43 for a set on eBay.
In 2019, the US Transportation Security Administration banned the bottles from carry-on or checked-in luggage on aircraft as they look like explosives.
The discovery of the bottle in Mr Sunak’s office coincided with the release of a glossy six-minute video designed to promote the decisions leading up to the budget.
The video features a relaxed-looking chancellor sitting on a stool in front of a grey backdrop.
An off-screen voice asks him to describe the day he became chancellor – a little over a year ago – after his predecessor, Sajid Javid, suddenly resigned following a dispute with Downing Street.
To a dramatic soundtrack, Mr Sunak recounts his first briefing about coronavirus and his subsequent response, overlaid with a montage of shots of the chancellor.
The video is the latest offering burnishing Mr Sunak’s personal brand, fuelling leadership speculation.
The chancellor, 40, was previously criticised for using his personal signature on government advertising, and he was labelled ‘out of touch’ after being pictured with a travel coffee mug valued at £180 ($251).
A decision to appear at media events in a hoodie also generated talk that Mr Sunak was aiming to soften his image ahead of a potential run for the Tory leadership, which he has denied.
Rishi Sunak - in pictures
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Andor
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
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