Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Poor old Nick Clegg. The Liberal Democrat leader so wanted to shake hands with Barack Obama, especially as the President is having a 30-minute meeting with David Cameron. "Of course we wanted to get a bit of the Obama magic," a spokeswoman said. "We had our lines open to Downing Street, but we were told that given the pressure on Obama's diary and given that he is not meeting many opposition party leaders it was never likely. That didn't stop us from trying."
Barking busker silenced
Where there are protests, there should be protest songs. To be precise, there should be Billy Bragg, the big-nosed busker from Barking who has serenaded every demonstration since the miners' strike 25 years ago. But yesterday's protesters did not get their dose of electric Bragg. Not his fault. He was there, he addressed the marchers as they set off from Cannon Street station, but the organisers could not get a sound system through the police cordon. Bragg had to make do with an acoustic guitar, singing for the ears of those close enough to hear above the general din.
Seating plan puzzles
Evidently there are advantages to being a female head of government. The tricky question for the protocol experts responsible for the seating plan at last night's working dinner in 10 Downing Street was who would get to sit near Barack Obama. In the event, Angela Merkel was at the President's right hand, and directly opposite was Christina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina. Gordon Brown was across the table, opposite the King of Saudi Arabia, between the presidents of Indonesia and China. Indonesia was doubly honoured, because next door in 11 Downing Street, the president's wife, Dr Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, had the good fortune to be sat next to Harriet Harman. While the world leaders were all at one table, the wives were spread over three. It could have been awkward if King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud had brought his wives, of whom he has four, but fortunately he left them in Saudi Arabia.
Darling? Not likely
Does anyone ever believe a word that fat Nessa, of Gavin and Stacey fame says? All that stuff about being John Prescott's lover – come on! And today if you talk to her alter ego, Ruth Jones, she will probably have you believe that she was at last night's dinner, at the same table as Maggie Darling, chatting away to the wives of the prime ministers of Australia and Japan. Yeah, yeah.
Today's events
Early protesters from G20 Meltdown plan to bang on the hotel doors of delegates
7am Leaders gather at the Excel Centre for working breakfast. Protests also expected
9.30am Leaders' photograph
9.50am Start of morning plenary
11am Protest demonstration outside the Excel Centre
2.30pm Start of afternoon plenary
3.30pm Press conferences begin
5.15pm Russia's President, Dmitry Medvedev, to give talk at London School of Economics
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments