Country stars were out in force on Sunday evening for the annual CMT Music Awards in Texas.
Need a Favor singer Jelly Roll was the big winner at the annual event that celebrates the biggest stars in the industry. The rapper-turned-country singer took home three awards on Sunday and rounded out the evening with an exceptional performance of Halfway to Hell.
Sporting a leather jacket and diamond necklace, the star joined a mix of celebrities for the live CBS event at the Moody Centre in Austin, including Grammy-nominated country singer Kelsea Ballerini, who returned to host for a fourth year.
Other award winners on the night were Warren Zeiders, Ashley Cooke, Carly Pearce, Lainey Wilson, Scotty McCreery and pop duo Dan+Shay, though many others triumphed on the red carpet.
Stars arrived in custom-made looks and country-inspired gear, with everything from traditional cowboy hats and boots to classic LBDs and sheer gowns spotted.
Minnie Driver opted for the all-black trend, but gave it her own slant moving away from the LBD to don a sharp pantsuit adorned with an oversized flower corsage.
Trisha Yearwood also went for a black dress, but opted for a longer number featuring sequins and feathered cuffs.
Keith Urban joined the penchant for black with a casual outfit consisting of a grey and black button-down shirt, black jeans and black trainers. And Urban was flying solo, with his Oscar-winning wife Nicole Kidman absent from the event. For his performance, he donned a black T-shirt with the face of George Jones, one of country's music's most influential singers.
Pearce wore two distinct looks – combining sombre black with the sheer trend in a long-sleeved mesh bodysuit that she paired with platform pumps.
Other stars rocking sheer fabrics included Roberts, who wore a one-shoulder Dolce & Gabanna gown, and host Ballerini, who opted for a flowing red David Koma lace dress as one of her nine outfit changes on the night.
Shimmering looks were also in style and seen on Lainey Wilson, who donned a metallic pantsuit paired with a cowboy hat, and US journalist Gayle King, who shone brightly in a vivid green suit.
Kimberly Schlapman joined the metallic trend with a vivid purple sequin gown and feather cuffs.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
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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
