May 18, 2024 18:00:00Experts warn that the next pandemic is likely to be influenzaEven before the COVID-19 outbreak, businessman Bill Gatespredicted that a highly infectious virus would kill more people than any world war. But this warning was not heeded, with millions of people around the world still dead from COVID-19, and the pandemic has not yet subsided. According to 21% of experts surveyed, the next pandemic threat after influenza will be 'Disease X,' an infectious disease caused by a scientifically unknown virus. Some experts predict that the next pandemic will be caused by a pathogen that suddenly emerged, like the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in 2019. On the other hand, even though the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been contained, it is true that lessons such as the importance of quarantine measures and vaccines are starting to fade.

Humanitarian assistance has begun to arrive in Gaza along a US-made pier, but the US aid chief said the new sea corridor could not be a substitute for land crossings, and warned that deliveries of food and fuel entering Gaza had slowed

According to the newspaper, the report by the Government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, Lord Walney, will urge the Department for Education (DfE) to issue schools with statutory guidance to protect teachers’ freedom of expression. The guidance would also say schools should not automatically suspend teachers over blasphemy claims and would prevent schools from publicly identifying teachers involved. Under the proposals, schools would not be obliged to consult parents, faith or community groups on educational content that might insult religious groups. The think tank claimed this had created a “de facto blasphemy code in schools across the country”. A total of 1,132 teachers from across the UK took part in the survey.

Brand Beckham is booming, according to The Sunday Times Rich List (Image: Canva)Oxfordshire's most famous residents David and Victoria Beckham are once again among the wealthiest people in the UK in 2024. The annual Sunday Times Rich List, which is included in a 76-page special edition of its Sunday magazine, reveals the wealth of the 350 richest individuals and families in Britain. Oxford Mail: David Beckham at homeThe decision by Lionel Messi to sign with the Inter Miami football team, part-owned by Mr Beckham, 49, last year sent the value of the club soaring to $1 billion, according to Forbes. See the Sunday Times Rich List here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sunday-times-rich-list-2024-revealed-plt3t2xrtHis 45 per cent stake in DB Ventures is valued at about £200 million. They also own a £16 million superyacht called Seven, after the number on Mr Beckham's Manchester United and England shirts.

(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelIndia and Britain have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA) at the annual UK-India Strategic Dialogue here, as the two sides reflected the "good progress" on the 2030 Roadmap since the last review. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, who is on a visit to the UK, held discussions with his counterpart, Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday. After their meeting, the FCDO said the two leaders reviewed the progress made on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap since the last strategic dialogue in January last year and looked ahead to the next phase of bilateral cooperation “The two reflected on good progress on the 2030 Roadmap since the last review, noting key areas where the UK and India have worked together to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges,” the FCDO said in a statement.“This included collaborating on the world's first malaria vaccine, working closely on India's successful G20 Presidency and increasing opportunities for students and entrepreneurs under the Migration and Mobility Partnership. Alongside celebrating the milestones since the last review, this year's dialogue included the ongoing commitment to negotiate a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA), and enhance defence cooperation ,” the statement added.The India-UK FTA negotiations, which opened in January 2022, are aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral trade – currently worth around 38.1 billion pounds a year as per official statistics from earlier this year. The talks are now in their 14th round of talks, going at a slower pace during the phased Indian general elections.Earlier, the High Commission of India in London said Kwatra also had a “fruitful meeting” with UK Minister of State for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge, during which they discussed ongoing India-UK defence capability cooperation initiatives and avenues for future collaboration.“We are delighted to host Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra in London to underline the UK's commitment to deepening cooperation with India.

The annual Sunday Times Rich List, which is included in a 76-page special edition of its Sunday magazine, reveals the wealth of the 350 richest individuals and families in Britain. Mr Beckham's business earnings are greater than his wife Victoria's but they have amassed a fortune that grew another £30million to £455million, the latest report says. See the Sunday Times Rich List here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sunday-times-rich-list-2024-revealed-plt3t2xrtHis 45 per cent stake in DB Ventures is valued at about £200 million. They also own a £16 million superyacht called Seven, after the number on Mr Beckham's Manchester United and England shirts. The Beckhams have also appeared in lucrative on-screen advertising roles, including for Uber Eats during the Super Bowl in February.

Ireland's president on Friday hit out at new UK legislation designed to draw a line under the violence during the Northern Ireland "Troubles", 50 years on from the biggest single-day loss of life in that period. Higgins said London's introduction of the legislation had ended any chance the victims' families had of finding out what happened, or of securing justice. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 came into force this month, halting any inquests, civil cases and criminal prosecutions linked to the Troubles. Ireland said in December it had launched legal action against the UK government in the European Court of Human Rights over the legacy law. All Northern Irish political parties oppose the legislation, and Europe's leading rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, has also expressed "serious concerns".

The number of billionaires in the UK has experienced a decline for the third consecutive year, dropping from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 in the current year. Robert Watts , the compiler of the rich list, suggests that Britain's billionaire boom may have reached its zenith. Topping the list once again are Gopi Hinduja and his family, who oversee the renowned Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group . Their wealth has ascended to 37.2 billion pounds from 35 billion pounds in the previous year.However, not all prominent billionaires have experienced growth in their fortunes. Sir Jim Ratcliffe , Manchester United investor and Ineos founder, witnessed the most significant decline, with his net worth plummeting by over 6 billion pounds to 23.52 billion pounds.Similarly, Sir James Dyson saw his wealth diminish to 20.8 billion pounds from 23 billion pounds, while Sir Richard Branson's fortunes dwindled to 2.4 billion pounds from 4.2 billion pounds, owing to challenges faced by his company, Virgin Galactic , throughout the year, iTV reported.

Donald Trump said that his campaign has agreed to participate in a vice presidential debate — but on Fox News. CNN is planning a presidential debate with Trump and Biden on June 27; ABC News is hosting an event on Sept. 10. The Biden campaign also proposed a vice presidential debate in late July or August, after the Republican National Convention. Baier, though, noted that Fox News had proposed a presidential debate of its own for October, and that Trump had accepted. Baier said that the network had proposed a vice presidential debate for July 23 or August 13 — the same dates as CBS proposed.

Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to theLessons in Lifestyle email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}The 100 most philanthropic people on the UK rich list - including Elton John and hedge fund managers - gave a total of £3.2billion this year. The 77-year-old gave £27 million away in part to the Elton John Aids Foundation which is renowned for it work to prevent the spread of HIV and tackling stigma. Sir Elton John gave away 5.7 per cent of his £470 million fortune this year ( Getty Images for The Rock and Ro )Funds raised have come from his own performances, events and financial contributions. He has also supported other causes through his Elton John Charitable Trust.

Reece Wabara played once for The Whites in a 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers but retired aged 26 at the end of the same season to focus on fashion firm Manière De Voir. According to The Sunday Times Rich List, which is to be published by the national newspaper this weekend, Mr Wabara is worth more than £80 million making him one of the richest people under the age of 40 in the North West. Nationwide the number of billionaires in The Sunday Times Rich List on the way down from its peak in 2022. Robert Watts, the compiler of The Sunday Times Rich List, said: "[The list] suggests Britain's billionaire boom has come to an end. We'll have to wait and see whether we have reached peak billionaire and what it means for our economy."

Last updated on .From the section GossipNewcastle United are willing to pay £15m for Arsenal's 26-year-old England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. (Star) external-linkManchester United will turn down any offers for Fernandes this summer. (Caught Offside) external-linkManchester United have been offered the opportunity to appoint long-term target Massimiliano Allegri after he was sacked as Juventus manager. (Bild - in German) external-linkManchester United are willing to pay £55m for 21-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but Everton want £80m. (Calciomercato - in Italian) external-linkEverton will continue negotiating with Leeds United to keep English midfielder Jack Harrison, 27, next season.

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Ahead of a looming avalanche of post-budget opinion polls, YouGov gets in with a poll whose field work period starting last Friday and ending on the day the budget was delivered on Tuesday. The primary votes are Labor 30% (down three), Coalition 38% (up two), Greens 13% (steady) and One Nation 8% (steady). Albanese’s lead as preferred prime minister is in from 46-34 to 44-37. The poll also features a question on issue salience which evidently allowed respondents to choose multiple issues they felt the government should focus on. A question on national direction finds wrong direction favoured over right direction by 61% to 39%.

Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to theBreaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend. There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021. Follow latest updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent