On Diwali, the festival of lights, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished British Indians. In US, Biden solidified his lead on Donald Trump as he pocketed more electoral votes in US Election 2020. Russian peacekeepers have entered Nagorno-Karabkah while Armenian villagers are burning their houses as Azerbaijan takover looms. Catch this and more in top 10 world news below.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-april-vaccine-will-be-available-to-entire-population-except-new-york-says-trump-while-hitting-out-at-governor-cuomo-343180">Trump set to deny vaccine to New York over tiff with Governor Cuomo</a>

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="38e2b9a4-c395-4ff0-8801-de4f5054bafd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump_4.JPG" />

Governor Cuomo hit back saying it was "personal" with the president.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-diwali-message-uk-pm-boris-johnson-expresses-gratitude-for-british-indians-343174">In Diwali message, UK PM Boris Johnson expresses gratitude for British Indians</a>

<img alt="Diwali" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba496fe6-38f7-41f1-9172-4959db000da3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Boris%20Johnson.JPG" />

Johnson said that just as the festival symbolised victory of light over darkness, it will also serve as beacon that will light the path of mankind's victory over coronavirus pandemic

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-solidifies-us-victory-over-trump-306-232-electoral-votes-343094">Biden solidifies US victory over Trump, 306-232 electoral votes</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-solidifies-us-victory-over-trump-306-232-electoral-votes-343094"><img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0f43f6ed-430b-4ea7-81bd-c2323433b212" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Biden_2.JPG" /></a> 
 
Edison Research, which made the call, also projected that North Carolina, the only other battleground state with an outstanding vote count, would go to Trump, finalizing the electoral vote tally at 306 for Biden to 232 for Trump.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-peacekeepers-enter-nagorno-karabakh-as-kremlin-seeks-un-presence-343168">Russian peacekeepers enter Nagorno-Karabakh as Kremlin seeks UN presence</a>

<img alt="Russia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8aacaae9-37fa-48cd-abf8-5c2da8e0547c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Russia.JPG" />

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country would involve the United Nations for humanitarian purposes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenian-villagers-burn-their-houses-just-ahead-of-azerbaijan-takeover-343178">Armenian villagers burn their houses just ahead of Azerbaijan takeover</a>

<img alt="Armenia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b731456-ef2d-4f81-a2d3-63f2fefac671" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/armenia_0.JPG" /> 
The territory will be handed over to Azerbaijan as part of the peace deal

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tigrayan-rocket-attack-damaged-airport-areas-in-neighbouring-region-says-ethiopia-343166">Tigrayan rocket attack damaged 'airport areas' in neighbouring region, says Ethiopia</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tigrayan-rocket-attack-damaged-airport-areas-in-neighbouring-region-says-ethiopia-343166"><img alt="Tigray" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="848ac9fc-ba5a-4896-9ff4-7fa0e767dd76" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/tigray.JPG" /></a> 
 
The conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigray region has already spiralled into a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Sudan which does not have adequate resources to take care of this population

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-says-al-qaedas-no-2-leader-was-killed-in-august-iran-refutes-claim-343091">Report says al Qaeda’s No 2 leader was killed in August; Iran refutes claim</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-says-al-qaedas-no-2-leader-was-killed-in-august-iran-refutes-claim-343091"><img alt="Qaeda" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c080cb4-8b97-4d28-a240-67c856c022f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Al%20Qaeda.JPG" /></a> 
 
Abdullash was accused of helping to mastermind the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Africa.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-diplomat-mike-pompeo-lands-in-france-on-seven-nation-tour-343161">US top diplomat Mike Pompeo lands in France on seven-nation tour</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-diplomat-mike-pompeo-lands-in-france-on-seven-nation-tour-343161"><img alt="Pompeo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70d70a22-bb93-4527-b38c-8dc33be6c6db" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pompeo.JPG" /></a> 
 
Notably, all nations on his schedule have congratulated Joe Biden for his victory in the recently-conducted US presidential race.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scottish-govt-calls-for-probe-into-trumps-golf-investments-343107">Scottish govt calls for probe into Trump’s golf investments</a>

<img alt="Golf" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="75a5d813-5117-457d-9ee8-f6593c417b16" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/golf.JPG" />

The incumbent US president owns Trump International Golf Links Scotland in Aberdeenshire, northeast Scotland, and Turnberry, in southwest Ayrshire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-surge-in-covid-19-cases-iran-to-tighten-restrictions-from-next-saturday-343176">Amid surge in COVID-19 cases, Iran to tighten restrictions from next Saturday</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-surge-in-covid-19-cases-iran-to-tighten-restrictions-from-next-saturday-343176"><img alt="Iran" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d025010-3436-4a5e-b82b-1018f8fbfa5f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Iran_0.JPG" /></a> 
 
President Hassan Rouhani had insisted that the country could not afford a shut down due to the US sanctions which has hit the country economically 
&nbsp;

On Diwali, the festival of lights, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished British Indians. In US, Biden solidified his lead on Donald Trump as he pocketed more electoral votes in US Election 2020.

On Diwali, the festival of lights, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished British Indians. In US, Biden solidified his lead on Donald Trump as he pocketed more electoral votes in US Election 2020. Russian peacekeepers have entered Nagorno-Karabkah while Armenian villagers are burning their houses as Azerbaijan takover looms. Catch this and more in top 10 world news below. Trump set to deny vaccine to New York over tiff with Governor Cuomo Governor Cuomo hit back saying it was "personal" with the president. In Diwali message, UK PM Boris Johnson expresses gratitude for British Indians Johnson said that just as the festival symbolised victory of light over darkness, it will also serve as beacon that will light the path of mankind's victory over coronavirus pandemic Biden solidifies US victory over Trump, 306-232 electoral votes Edison Research, which made the call, also projected that North Carolina, the only other battleground state with an outstanding vote count, would go to Trump, finalizing the electoral vote tally at 306 for Biden to 232 for Trump. Russian peacekeepers enter Nagorno-Karabakh as Kremlin seeks UN presence Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country would involve the United Nations for humanitarian purposes. Armenian villagers burn their houses just ahead of Azerbaijan takeover The territory will be handed over to Azerbaijan as part of the peace deal Tigrayan rocket attack damaged 'airport areas' in neighbouring region, says Ethiopia The conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigray region has already spiralled into a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Sudan which does not have adequate resources to take care of this population Report says al Qaeda’s No 2 leader was killed in August; Iran refutes claim Abdullash was accused of helping to mastermind the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Africa. US top diplomat Mike Pompeo lands in France on seven-nation tour Notably, all nations on his schedule have congratulated Joe Biden for his victory in the recently-conducted US presidential race. Scottish govt calls for probe into Trump’s golf investments The incumbent US president owns Trump International Golf Links Scotland in Aberdeenshire, northeast Scotland, and Turnberry, in southwest Ayrshire. Amid surge in COVID-19 cases, Iran to tighten restrictions from next Saturday President Hassan Rouhani had insisted that the country could not afford a shut down due to the US sanctions which has hit the country economically

Top 10 world news: UK PM says 'Happy Diwali', Trump denies vaccine to NY, more

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had tremendous 'respect' for the way British Indinas went out of their way to help others tackle the coronavirus pandemic. In his Diwali message, Johnson said that just as the festival symbolised victory of light over darkness, it will also serve as beacon that will light the path of mankind's victory over coronavirus pandemic.

"Happy Diwali and BandiChhorDivas! I know that this year celebrations will be different, but I am filled with respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have gone out of their way to help others throughout this pandemic," he wrote in the tweet that had a video message.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diwali-2020-india-along-with-the-world-celebrates-the-festival-of-lights-343118">Diwali 2020: India, along with the world, celebrates the festival of lights</a> 
 
"Namaste and Happy Diwali everybody. Millions of lamps are once again being lit as a spectacular joyful festival of Diwali is here. And of course, I knew that this year, as with so many other events, Diwali is not going to be the same. People across this country are making huge sacrifices, your lives have been put on hold, I know, your work and businesses have been disrupted. Let`s all take comfort from the meaning at the heart of this fantastic festival, and that the many millions of Diwali lights all over the world shine through the darkness as beacons of hope for a better future," he said."Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. So too, I have every confidence that we triumph over COVID-19. And as we all pull together, and play our part in defeating this virus, I`m filled with all and respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have risen to this challenge, and have gone out of their way to help others from the amazing doctors and nurses on the frontline, who cared for the sick throughout this crisis, to the temples that have used their kitchens to feed the vulnerable and support our key workers," Johnson added.Diwali is observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar and it is believed that on this day Lord Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) returned from a 14-year-long exile, during which he fought and won a battle against the demon king Ravana.People across India and around the world celebrate the festival by decorating their houses, exchanging gifts, and offering prayers in order to commemorate the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

Watch his video message below:

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Diwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Diwali</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BandiChhorDivas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BandiChhorDivas</a>! 
 
I know that this year celebrations will be different, but I am filled with respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have gone out of their way to help others throughout this pandemic. <a href="https://t.co/YhqWpq3JQH">pic.twitter.com/YhqWpq3JQH</a>
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1327538300098371584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had tremendous 'respect' for the way British Indinas went out of their way to help others tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had tremendous 'respect' for the way British Indinas went out of their way to help others tackle the coronavirus pandemic. In his Diwali message, Johnson said that just as the festival symbolised victory of light over darkness, it will also serve as beacon that will light the path of mankind's victory over coronavirus pandemic. "Happy Diwali and BandiChhorDivas! I know that this year celebrations will be different, but I am filled with respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have gone out of their way to help others throughout this pandemic," he wrote in the tweet that had a video message. Also Read | Diwali 2020: India, along with the world, celebrates the festival of lights "Namaste and Happy Diwali everybody. Millions of lamps are once again being lit as a spectacular joyful festival of Diwali is here. And of course, I knew that this year, as with so many other events, Diwali is not going to be the same. People across this country are making huge sacrifices, your lives have been put on hold, I know, your work and businesses have been disrupted. Let`s all take comfort from the meaning at the heart of this fantastic festival, and that the many millions of Diwali lights all over the world shine through the darkness as beacons of hope for a better future," he said."Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. So too, I have every confidence that we triumph over COVID-19. And as we all pull together, and play our part in defeating this virus, I`m filled with all and respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have risen to this challenge, and have gone out of their way to help others from the amazing doctors and nurses on the frontline, who cared for the sick throughout this crisis, to the temples that have used their kitchens to feed the vulnerable and support our key workers," Johnson added.Diwali is observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar and it is believed that on this day Lord Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) returned from a 14-year-long exile, during which he fought and won a battle against the demon king Ravana.People across India and around the world celebrate the festival by decorating their houses, exchanging gifts, and offering prayers in order to commemorate the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". Watch his video message below: Happy #Diwali and #BandiChhorDivas! I know that this year celebrations will be different, but I am filled with respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have gone out of their way to help others throughout this pandemic. pic.twitter.com/YhqWpq3JQH — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 14, 2020 ×

In Diwali message, UK PM Boris Johnson expresses gratitude for British Indians

LONDON — At least he wasn’t left waiting by the phone.

British officials expressed relief that Prime Minister Boris Johnson was included in President-elect Joe Biden’s first round of calls with foreign leaders Tuesday, along with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Micheal Martin of Ireland.

Some worried that Johnson’s ideological kinship with President Donald Trump and his backing of Brexit, which Biden had opposed, would put him at the back of the queue, as President Barack Obama once warned Britain if it voted to leave the European Union.

But the inclusion of pint-size Ireland on the list was at least as telling as Britain’s, a red flag to diplomats that Brexit could still get in the way of the country’s cherished special relationship with United States.

Biden spoke to Martin right after Johnson, according to Irish officials. He delivered the same message to both men — that he “reaffirmed his support for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland,” according to a statement issued by the Biden transition office.

Downing Street made no mention of Northern Ireland in its account of the call, preferring to focus on how Johnson and Biden pledged to cooperate on “shared priorities, from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Good Friday Agreement, brokered in 1998 under President Bill Clinton, ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. It has become a potential source of conflict between Biden and Johnson because Britain’s trade negotiations with the EU could put the accord in jeopardy.

“It’s really quite pointed and deliberate that Biden raised the Good Friday Agreement with Johnson,” said Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish ambassador to Britain. “The British do not like it in general when American presidents raise Ireland with them, going back to Thatcher and Reagan.”

Biden, who speaks often of his Irish roots, warned Johnson during the campaign not to take any steps that would undermine the accord. That came after the Johnson government introduced legislation to rewrite parts of its Withdrawal Agreement with the EU that address Northern Ireland. The revisions, critics say, could lead to the resurrection of a hard border across Ireland.

Downing Street contends that the legislation, known as the Internal Market Bill, is meant to ensure that trade flows freely between Britain and Northern Ireland and is merely a safety net in case there is no trade deal. If Johnson does strike one, he could always remove the offending language.

By all accounts, Biden and Johnson did not get into the weeds in their 20-minute exchange. The two have never met, and the prime minister carries some baggage. He alienated people in Obama’s circle by once referring to “the part-Kenyan president’s ancestral dislike of the British Empire.”

This time, Johnson seemed determined to get off on the right foot. He invited Biden to attend a climate change conference in Glasgow next November and hailed Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for her “historic achievement.” And it was noteworthy that he invoked the slogan “building back better,” one used by both the Biden campaign and his government.

The Irish were evidently less nervous about a call to Martin. His office tweeted that he had a “very positive” conversation with Biden, then abruptly deleted it — he had not yet spoken to the president-elect.

For many in Britain, it was enough that Johnson remained near the top of the incoming U.S. president’s call sheet. British newspapers crowed that Biden spoke to Johnson before Merkel or Macron, though Biden officials declined to clarify the order of the calls.

Either way, it was a better showing than four years ago, when British diplomats were chagrined to learn that President-elect Donald Trump had taken calls from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt before one from Prime Minister Theresa May.

Even Australia’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, got through, thanks to a private number for Trump that he got from golfer Greg Norman. (That turned out to be a mixed blessing: In another call a month later, the new president heatedly rejected an Obama-era deal to take refugees from Australia, and eventually hung up on the prime minister.)

Kim Darroch, the former British ambassador to the United States, finally connected his boss to Trump by tracking down the president-elect through his secretary at Trump Tower. It was an off-the-wall experience that has little in common with Biden’s meticulously choreographed outreach to foreign leaders.

“It was a helpful signal for the British that Johnson was in the batch of the first four Europeans, and, I assume, quite a big relief for Downing Street,” Darroch said. “As expected, the Biden team are a whole lot more organized about this than Trump. You didn’t find Erdogan and Sissi getting the first two calls.”

LONDON — At least he wasn’t left waiting by the phone. British officials expressed relief that Prime Minister Boris Johnson was included in President-elect Joe Biden’s first round of calls with foreign leaders Tuesday, along with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Micheal Martin of Ireland.

LONDON — At least he wasn’t left waiting by the phone. British officials expressed relief that Prime Minister Boris Johnson was included in President-elect Joe Biden’s first round of calls with foreign leaders Tuesday, along with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Micheal Martin of Ireland. Some worried that Johnson’s ideological kinship with President Donald Trump and his backing of Brexit, which Biden had opposed, would put him at the back of the queue, as President Barack Obama once warned Britain if it voted to leave the European Union. But the inclusion of pint-size Ireland on the list was at least as telling as Britain’s, a red flag to diplomats that Brexit could still get in the way of the country’s cherished special relationship with United States. Biden spoke to Martin right after Johnson, according to Irish officials. He delivered the same message to both men — that he “reaffirmed his support for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland,” according to a statement issued by the Biden transition office. Downing Street made no mention of Northern Ireland in its account of the call, preferring to focus on how Johnson and Biden pledged to cooperate on “shared priorities, from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic.” The Good Friday Agreement, brokered in 1998 under President Bill Clinton, ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. It has become a potential source of conflict between Biden and Johnson because Britain’s trade negotiations with the EU could put the accord in jeopardy. “It’s really quite pointed and deliberate that Biden raised the Good Friday Agreement with Johnson,” said Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish ambassador to Britain. “The British do not like it in general when American presidents raise Ireland with them, going back to Thatcher and Reagan.” Biden, who speaks often of his Irish roots, warned Johnson during the campaign not to take any steps that would undermine the accord. That came after the Johnson government introduced legislation to rewrite parts of its Withdrawal Agreement with the EU that address Northern Ireland. The revisions, critics say, could lead to the resurrection of a hard border across Ireland. Downing Street contends that the legislation, known as the Internal Market Bill, is meant to ensure that trade flows freely between Britain and Northern Ireland and is merely a safety net in case there is no trade deal. If Johnson does strike one, he could always remove the offending language. By all accounts, Biden and Johnson did not get into the weeds in their 20-minute exchange. The two have never met, and the prime minister carries some baggage. He alienated people in Obama’s circle by once referring to “the part-Kenyan president’s ancestral dislike of the British Empire.” This time, Johnson seemed determined to get off on the right foot. He invited Biden to attend a climate change conference in Glasgow next November and hailed Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for her “historic achievement.” And it was noteworthy that he invoked the slogan “building back better,” one used by both the Biden campaign and his government. The Irish were evidently less nervous about a call to Martin. His office tweeted that he had a “very positive” conversation with Biden, then abruptly deleted it — he had not yet spoken to the president-elect. For many in Britain, it was enough that Johnson remained near the top of the incoming U.S. president’s call sheet. British newspapers crowed that Biden spoke to Johnson before Merkel or Macron, though Biden officials declined to clarify the order of the calls. Either way, it was a better showing than four years ago, when British diplomats were chagrined to learn that President-elect Donald Trump had taken calls from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt before one from Prime Minister Theresa May. Even Australia’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, got through, thanks to a private number for Trump that he got from golfer Greg Norman. (That turned out to be a mixed blessing: In another call a month later, the new president heatedly rejected an Obama-era deal to take refugees from Australia, and eventually hung up on the prime minister.) Kim Darroch, the former British ambassador to the United States, finally connected his boss to Trump by tracking down the president-elect through his secretary at Trump Tower. It was an off-the-wall experience that has little in common with Biden’s meticulously choreographed outreach to foreign leaders. “It was a helpful signal for the British that Johnson was in the batch of the first four Europeans, and, I assume, quite a big relief for Downing Street,” Darroch said. “As expected, the Biden team are a whole lot more organized about this than Trump. You didn’t find Erdogan and Sissi getting the first two calls.”

Would he or wouldn't he? Johnson is relieved that Biden called

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the tech giant Bill Gates and a few more big pharma CEOs to discuss rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine.

The group of tech giants and the UK Prime Minister met through a virtual platform to "re-commit" to ensure global access of any successful COVID-19 vaccine and to "prevent future pandemics".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gene-within-gene-scientists-make-worrying-discovery-about-coronavirus-nucleotides-342539">'Gene within gene': Scientists make worrying discovery about coronavirus nucleotides</a>

During the virtual roundtable conference, Johnson assured his commitment to the coronavirus vaccine. However, no final news was passed about&nbsp;Pfizer vaccine, which hasn't been approved yet. Meanwhile, local reports have claimed that the UK's&nbsp;National Health Service (NHS) will be ready to start vaccinating people from December or January. This claim was not substantiated by the Johnson administration, though.

In the conference, Johnson also assured that his administration will be using UK's G7 presidency next year to bring in a global health plan with expertise from the&nbsp;Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and partnership with&nbsp;Wellcome Trust. This plan is being laid out to prevent such massive outcry and loss of lives if any other pandemic strikes the world again.

Bill Gates appreciated Johnson's measures and efforts, and said he is happy that someone is thinking about chalking out a&nbsp;“global approach” to “health security.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chinese-virologist-reveals-chinas-fake-science-and-the-covid-19-cover-up-333982">Chinese virologist reveals China’s fake science and the COVID-19 cover-up</a>

As of now, a strategy has been unveiled by the Gates Foundation at the&nbsp;UN General Assembly in September. This plan can have effects in areas other than the UK, too, if it is implemented, as it involves creating a global network of&nbsp;“zoonotic disease research hubs” which can detect any possible dangerous viruses in animal populations, way before it affects humans.

The UK has contracted for 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as of now. Pfizer is being hailed as a vaccine with 90 per cent effectivity against the novel coronavirus, but the claim has not been substantiated and the actual clinical data from the drug trials has to be released.

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the tech giant Bill Gates and a few more big pharma CEOs to discuss rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine. The group of tech giants and the UK Prime Minister met through a virtual platform to "re-commit" to ensure global access of any successful COVID-19 vaccine and to "prevent future pandemics".

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the tech giant Bill Gates and a few more big pharma CEOs to discuss rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine. The group of tech giants and the UK Prime Minister met through a virtual platform to "re-commit" to ensure global access of any successful COVID-19 vaccine and to "prevent future pandemics". Also read| 'Gene within gene': Scientists make worrying discovery about coronavirus nucleotides During the virtual roundtable conference, Johnson assured his commitment to the coronavirus vaccine. However, no final news was passed about Pfizer vaccine, which hasn't been approved yet. Meanwhile, local reports have claimed that the UK's National Health Service (NHS) will be ready to start vaccinating people from December or January. This claim was not substantiated by the Johnson administration, though. In the conference, Johnson also assured that his administration will be using UK's G7 presidency next year to bring in a global health plan with expertise from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and partnership with Wellcome Trust. This plan is being laid out to prevent such massive outcry and loss of lives if any other pandemic strikes the world again. Bill Gates appreciated Johnson's measures and efforts, and said he is happy that someone is thinking about chalking out a “global approach” to “health security.” Also read: Chinese virologist reveals China’s fake science and the COVID-19 cover-up As of now, a strategy has been unveiled by the Gates Foundation at the UN General Assembly in September. This plan can have effects in areas other than the UK, too, if it is implemented, as it involves creating a global network of “zoonotic disease research hubs” which can detect any possible dangerous viruses in animal populations, way before it affects humans. The UK has contracted for 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as of now. Pfizer is being hailed as a vaccine with 90 per cent effectivity against the novel coronavirus, but the claim has not been substantiated and the actual clinical data from the drug trials has to be released.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets Bill Gates to discuss COVID-19 vaccine

Britain is thinking of banning advertisements of junk food online. On Tuesday, the country proposed a ban in a bid&nbsp;to fight obesity and to improve public health.

The government added that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made public health more urgent than ever before.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/mcdonalds-announces-its-making-plant-based-meat-for-mcplant-menu-342037" hreflang="en">McDonald's announces it's making plant-based 'meat' for 'McPlant' menu</a>

Additionally, the government claimed that obesity continues to be Britain’s biggest long-term public health issue. As per government figures, at least two-thirds of adults in England are overweight, and one in three children passing out of primary school are obese.

If implemented, the ban would restrict online advertisements of foods that have high content of fat, sugar, and salt.

"We know as children spend more time online, parents want to be reassured they are not being exposed to adverts promoting unhealthy foods, which can affect eating habits for life," Matt Hancock, health minister said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/kfc-will-start-testing-its-environment-friendly-3d-printed-chicken-in-russia-by-end-of-2020-314872" hreflang="en">KFC will start testing its environment friendly 3D-printed chicken in Russia by end of 2020</a>

Besides its previously known health risks, COVID-19 has shown how obesity can cause deaths in people who contract coronavirus, along with serious illnesses.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used his personal experience with COVID-19 to suggest that he needs to lose weight.

This would mean a complete ban online for unhealthy foods, in addition of the government’s plans to ban advertisements of unhealthy foods before 9 PM on television.

Britain is thinking of banning advertisements of junk food online. On Tuesday, the country proposed a ban in a bid to fight obesity and to improve public health.

Britain is thinking of banning advertisements of junk food online. On Tuesday, the country proposed a ban in a bid to fight obesity and to improve public health. The government added that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made public health more urgent than ever before. Also read: McDonald's announces it's making plant-based 'meat' for 'McPlant' menu Additionally, the government claimed that obesity continues to be Britain’s biggest long-term public health issue. As per government figures, at least two-thirds of adults in England are overweight, and one in three children passing out of primary school are obese. If implemented, the ban would restrict online advertisements of foods that have high content of fat, sugar, and salt. "We know as children spend more time online, parents want to be reassured they are not being exposed to adverts promoting unhealthy foods, which can affect eating habits for life," Matt Hancock, health minister said in a statement. Also read: KFC will start testing its environment friendly 3D-printed chicken in Russia by end of 2020 Besides its previously known health risks, COVID-19 has shown how obesity can cause deaths in people who contract coronavirus, along with serious illnesses. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used his personal experience with COVID-19 to suggest that he needs to lose weight. This would mean a complete ban online for unhealthy foods, in addition of the government’s plans to ban advertisements of unhealthy foods before 9 PM on television.

Britain set to ban online advertisements of junk food to fight obesity

The deadline for the UK to strike a deal with an EU comes to a near. The conditions were already not in favour of the British PM Boris Johnson & now with Joe Biden coming to the White House. the US will be under increased pressure to strike a Brexit deal.

Fears of worsening US-UK ties with no-deal outcome | US-Brexit vision under Biden

The UK government has published guidance it says will help UK firms negotiate the "ethical, legal and commercial" questions they may encounter in China, or when working with Chinese businesses, and safeguard national security concerns.

The guidance released by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Friday sets out key issues digital and tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should consider as they weigh the benefits and risks of commercial ventures, as well as signposting specialist sources of advice.

The DCMS notes that China is the UK's third-largest export market and the world's second-largest and fastest-growing major economy. But warns that accessing the market should be done 'safely'&nbsp;and in a way that reflects the UK's values and takes account of national security concerns.

"The latest statistics show UK-China bilateral trade has exceeded the 76 billion pound mark for the first time and our digital tech sector is the fifth biggest exporter of services in the world. But we recognise the ethical, legal and commercial questions businesses face when they work in China or with Chinese businesses, said UK Minister for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage.

"The UK is determined to support our businesses to engage with China in a way that reflects the UK's values and takes account of national security concerns," she said.

A new online hub, which the DCMS said has been developed in response to demand from the tech sector, will support "safe and appropriate" UK-China collaboration in digital and tech. The guidance will help SMEs to make a success of business ventures linked to China, to choose the right partners and to manage risk by taking appropriate steps.

"We welcome the government's launch of the bespoke guidance to SMEs and we look forward to working together to help digital and tech SMEs to grow safely and successfully in China," said Julian David, CEO of tech UK.

"At techUK, we recognise the massive opportunity that China presents for the UK's digital and tech businesses as well as challenges that firms face when navigating each other's unique marketplaces. To be successful and protect their operations, digital and tech businesses need to know the challenges and take the right steps to navigate them," he said.

The DCMS said that the new hub complements measures announced earlier in the year to support UK tech companies to seize trade and investment opportunities overseas.

These included a new Digital Trade Network for Asia-Pacific, which will support UK SMEs to break into the Asian market, and a new Tech Exporting Academy to provide expert advice to UK scaleups on subject areas essential to expansion, including regulation, intellectual property, and compliance.

In June, the UK government had stipulated that Chinese giant Huawei will be completely removed from the UK's 5G networks by the end of 2027 in the wake of US sanctions on the company over data privacy concerns.&nbsp;

Restrictions on Huawei operating in the 'sensitive'&nbsp;and critical parts of the UK network have also been in place.

The UK government has published guidance it says will help UK firms negotiate the "ethical, legal and commercial" questions they may encounter in China, or when working with Chinese businesses, and safeguard national security concerns.

The UK government has published guidance it says will help UK firms negotiate the "ethical, legal and commercial" questions they may encounter in China, or when working with Chinese businesses, and safeguard national security concerns. The guidance released by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Friday sets out key issues digital and tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should consider as they weigh the benefits and risks of commercial ventures, as well as signposting specialist sources of advice. The DCMS notes that China is the UK's third-largest export market and the world's second-largest and fastest-growing major economy. But warns that accessing the market should be done 'safely' and in a way that reflects the UK's values and takes account of national security concerns. "The latest statistics show UK-China bilateral trade has exceeded the 76 billion pound mark for the first time and our digital tech sector is the fifth biggest exporter of services in the world. But we recognise the ethical, legal and commercial questions businesses face when they work in China or with Chinese businesses, said UK Minister for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage. "The UK is determined to support our businesses to engage with China in a way that reflects the UK's values and takes account of national security concerns," she said. A new online hub, which the DCMS said has been developed in response to demand from the tech sector, will support "safe and appropriate" UK-China collaboration in digital and tech. The guidance will help SMEs to make a success of business ventures linked to China, to choose the right partners and to manage risk by taking appropriate steps. "We welcome the government's launch of the bespoke guidance to SMEs and we look forward to working together to help digital and tech SMEs to grow safely and successfully in China," said Julian David, CEO of tech UK. "At techUK, we recognise the massive opportunity that China presents for the UK's digital and tech businesses as well as challenges that firms face when navigating each other's unique marketplaces. To be successful and protect their operations, digital and tech businesses need to know the challenges and take the right steps to navigate them," he said. The DCMS said that the new hub complements measures announced earlier in the year to support UK tech companies to seize trade and investment opportunities overseas. These included a new Digital Trade Network for Asia-Pacific, which will support UK SMEs to break into the Asian market, and a new Tech Exporting Academy to provide expert advice to UK scaleups on subject areas essential to expansion, including regulation, intellectual property, and compliance. In June, the UK government had stipulated that Chinese giant Huawei will be completely removed from the UK's 5G networks by the end of 2027 in the wake of US sanctions on the company over data privacy concerns. Restrictions on Huawei operating in the 'sensitive' and critical parts of the UK network have also been in place.

UK creates tech hub for more 'ethical' business with China

The UK heads into lockdown for the second time, WION brings you a report on how people spend their last night on the eve of the lockdown.

Londoners made last minute purchases as UK is going into second lockdown

A foggy London was quieter than usual on Thursday (November 5) as England went into a second nationwide lockdown. People have been ordered to stay at home from 0001GMT on Thursday to combat an increase in new infections.

UK: Londoners prepare for another month under lockdown

The United Kingdom has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Climate Ambition summit that will take place in December. The invitation was handed over by Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign Office to India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla during his London visit.&nbsp;

The summit is being hosted virtually by the UK as the COP26 President, United Nations, France in partnership with Chile was the president of COP 25 and Italy, president of COP 26. COP is Climate Change Conference and the 26th conference will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from 1st to 12th November 2021 under London's leadership.

Sir Philip Barton who is the UK’s most senior diplomat and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service after his meeting with Indian Foreign secretary said, “I am delighted to welcome Foreign Secretary Shringla to London to discuss our joint priorities. India has a special place in my heart and I know first-hand the importance of building the relationship between our two countries"

He added, "Foreign Secretary Shringla and I agreed a strengthened UK-India partnership will be a force for good in the world, in facing the big international challenges over the next decade, such as climate change and global security.”

The summit aims at long term strategies for net-zero emissions, climate finance commitments for vulnerable countries among many things. Interestingly, December 12 marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

The United Kingdom has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Climate Ambition summit that will take place in December. The invitation was handed over by Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign Office to India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla during his London visit.

The United Kingdom has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Climate Ambition summit that will take place in December. The invitation was handed over by Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign Office to India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla during his London visit. The summit is being hosted virtually by the UK as the COP26 President, United Nations, France in partnership with Chile was the president of COP 25 and Italy, president of COP 26. COP is Climate Change Conference and the 26th conference will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from 1st to 12th November 2021 under London's leadership. Sir Philip Barton who is the UK’s most senior diplomat and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service after his meeting with Indian Foreign secretary said, “I am delighted to welcome Foreign Secretary Shringla to London to discuss our joint priorities. India has a special place in my heart and I know first-hand the importance of building the relationship between our two countries" He added, "Foreign Secretary Shringla and I agreed a strengthened UK-India partnership will be a force for good in the world, in facing the big international challenges over the next decade, such as climate change and global security.” The summit aims at long term strategies for net-zero emissions, climate finance commitments for vulnerable countries among many things. Interestingly, December 12 marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

UK invites India for climate summit

EU and British Brexit negotiators Monday will continue talks in Brussels and until around mid-week -- in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks.

The talks are a final bid to seal a new partnership agreement for when Britain's transition out of the European Union runs its course at the end of this year.

If the sides overcome their differences, the new deal would govern everything from trade and energy to transport and fisheries. If they fail, an estimated $900 billion of annual bilateral trade in goods and services would be damaged from January 1 by tariffs and quotas.

Sources said negotiations would continue face-to-face in Brussels on Monday following a full weekend of talks. An update on their progress and the chances of a deal was expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that "much remains to be done" to seal a deal.

Both sides have previously signalled their readiness to compromise on fisheries.

For now, Britain and the EU face three main scenarios -- a deal this year that salvages free trade, a tumultuous economic split, or a fudged arrangement that would settle future ties in a handful of areas but leave the rest up in the air.

EU and British Brexit negotiators Monday will continue talks in Brussels and until around mid-week -- in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks.

EU and British Brexit negotiators Monday will continue talks in Brussels and until around mid-week -- in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks. The talks are a final bid to seal a new partnership agreement for when Britain's transition out of the European Union runs its course at the end of this year. If the sides overcome their differences, the new deal would govern everything from trade and energy to transport and fisheries. If they fail, an estimated $900 billion of annual bilateral trade in goods and services would be damaged from January 1 by tariffs and quotas. Sources said negotiations would continue face-to-face in Brussels on Monday following a full weekend of talks. An update on their progress and the chances of a deal was expected on Wednesday or Thursday. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that "much remains to be done" to seal a deal. Both sides have previously signalled their readiness to compromise on fisheries. For now, Britain and the EU face three main scenarios -- a deal this year that salvages free trade, a tumultuous economic split, or a fudged arrangement that would settle future ties in a handful of areas but leave the rest up in the air.

EU, UK to try salvage trade deal in another round of Brexit talks

The UK's first permanent vegan 'butcher' will open in London next week, serving faux versions of bacon, chicken, and turkey made from soya and seitan.

UK's first vegan butcher is all set to open

Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered England back into a national lockdown after the United Kingdom passed the milestone of one million COVID-19 cases and a second wave of infections threatened to overwhelm the health service.

Johnson locks down England as UK COVID-19 cases pass 1 million

Jeremy Corbyn has been suspended from the Labour party for anti-Semitism. Corbyn has called his suspension politically motivated.

Gravitas: UK's Labour Party suspends Jeremy Corbyn

Corbyn denounced the report, which highlighted numerous complaints made during his tenure, saying they were “dramatically overstated for political reasons”.

Jeremy Corbyn suspended from Labour party over response to anti-Semitism allegations

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his condolences to the families of victims. Italian PM also condemned the attack.

France Knife Attack: UK & Italy leaders react to knife attack

A UK task force has voiced concerns that an early coronavirus vaccine may turn out to be imperfect even as the global race continues to deliver the first vaccine against Covid-19.

UK panel fears early vaccine may be imperfect

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall&nbsp;Camilla Parker-Bowles&nbsp;urged theatre actors to stay strong in the face of pandemic adversity as she presented lyricist Don Black with the Special Olivier Award at a virtual ceremony on Sunday evening. 
 
"I should like to thank those of you whose profession is in the theatre for your determination and your flexibility," the wife of Prince Charles said. "Please remain resilient – we need you and we have missed you." 
 
London`s theatres have in theory been able to open to socially distanced audiences since mid-August, but only a handful have done so.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/princess-diana-most-iconic-looks-of-all-time-on-her-59th-birth-anniversary-310178" hreflang="en">Princess Diana: Most iconic looks of all time on her 59th birth anniversary</a> 
 
Black received his award for a body of work including the James Bond theme songs he co-wrote with composer John Barry for 'Thunderball'&nbsp;and 'Diamonds Are Forever'. 
 
Among other recipients of Oliver awards, Ian McKellen was recognised for his 80th birthday solo tour while Sharon D. Clarke was named best actress. Clarke won for her performance in the Young Vic theatre`s production of Arthur Miller`s "Death Of A Salesman", while best actor was Andrew Scott in Noel Coward`s "Present Laughter" at the Old Vic. 
 
"Dear Evan Hansen," the story of a lonely student who fabricates a friendship with a dead boy, won the best new musical award. The Jamie Lloyd Company won best revival for its production of Cyrano De Bergerac at the Playhouse Theatre.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/obsessed-with-princess-dianas-story-heres-a-list-of-films-and-series-based-on-her-life-306781" hreflang="en">Obsessed with Princess Diana's story? Here's a list of films and series based on her life</a> 
 
McKellen`s one-man touring show includes a reading from Lord of the Rings, anecdotes about his Shakespeare days, and a revival of his pantomime dame Widow Twankey. It was his seventh Olivier award. 
 
Another repeat winner was choreographer Matthew Bourne who collected his ninth, making him the individual with the most Olivier awards. Bourne won best theatre choreographer alongside Stephen Mear for 'Mary Poppins'. 
 
Established in 1976, the awards named after legendary actor Laurence Olivier are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours.

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles urged theatre actors to stay strong in the face of pandemic adversity as she presented lyricist Don Black with the Special Olivier Award at a virtual ceremony on Sunday evening.

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles urged theatre actors to stay strong in the face of pandemic adversity as she presented lyricist Don Black with the Special Olivier Award at a virtual ceremony on Sunday evening. "I should like to thank those of you whose profession is in the theatre for your determination and your flexibility," the wife of Prince Charles said. "Please remain resilient – we need you and we have missed you." London`s theatres have in theory been able to open to socially distanced audiences since mid-August, but only a handful have done so. Princess Diana: Most iconic looks of all time on her 59th birth anniversary Black received his award for a body of work including the James Bond theme songs he co-wrote with composer John Barry for 'Thunderball' and 'Diamonds Are Forever'. Among other recipients of Oliver awards, Ian McKellen was recognised for his 80th birthday solo tour while Sharon D. Clarke was named best actress. Clarke won for her performance in the Young Vic theatre`s production of Arthur Miller`s "Death Of A Salesman", while best actor was Andrew Scott in Noel Coward`s "Present Laughter" at the Old Vic. "Dear Evan Hansen," the story of a lonely student who fabricates a friendship with a dead boy, won the best new musical award. The Jamie Lloyd Company won best revival for its production of Cyrano De Bergerac at the Playhouse Theatre. Obsessed with Princess Diana's story? Here's a list of films and series based on her life McKellen`s one-man touring show includes a reading from Lord of the Rings, anecdotes about his Shakespeare days, and a revival of his pantomime dame Widow Twankey. It was his seventh Olivier award. Another repeat winner was choreographer Matthew Bourne who collected his ninth, making him the individual with the most Olivier awards. Bourne won best theatre choreographer alongside Stephen Mear for 'Mary Poppins'. Established in 1976, the awards named after legendary actor Laurence Olivier are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours.

'We've missed you,' UK's Camilla Parker-Bowles tells actors at Olivier stage awards

British police said on Sunday (October 25) they were dealing with an incident aboard an oil tanker near the coast of the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England.

UK: Attempted 'hijacking' on ship moored off Isle of Wight

The United Kingdom is currently in the middle of a controversy over free meals for school children in the country. Half term for school students is set to begin in England soon, and the country has refused to extend its free meals scheme for school children.

The government had extended its free meals scheme to children during the Easter holidays this year. After campaigning by high profile celebrities like the football player Rashford, the government extended the free meals programme.

Owing to the government's refusal to continue the programme, councils across the country are providing vouchers for meals, with hundreds of businesses offering parcels to vulnerable children.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-police-deal-with-incident-aboard-tanker-off-english-coast-337900" hreflang="en">UK police deal with incident aboard tanker off English coast</a>

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary had referred to the community-driven campaigns as "brilliant", while adding that the best way to provide help to those in need was through councils in conversation with BBC.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently under pressure to extend the programme, with the opposition also pressurising him into doing the same.

Three other constituents of the United Kingdom - Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have introduced food voucher schemes.

The government is facing increasing pressure from external factors as well. Manchester United's petition calling for the extension of meal schemes had gained traction online, with over 870,000 signatures by Monday.

Hancock told BBC that Rashford and Boris Johnson had been in touch, saying "there has been communication between the two". He also expected the matter to be followed up.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-pub-bans-rishi-sunak-for-life-after-he-voted-against-free-school-meals-337685" hreflang="en">UK pub bans Rishi Sunak for life after he voted against free school meals</a>

In conversation with the BBC, Hancock also defended the government's stance in terms of its refusal to extend help programmes. According to Hancock, the government has increased Universal Credit, and has also allocated £63m to authorities at the local level.

In mid-October, Conservative MPs voted against Labour Party's attempt to continue the free meals schemes by 322 votes to 261.

In 2019, about 1.3 million children availed free meals scheme in England - this constitutes about 15% of school students in the country.

According to the Food Foundation, 900,000 children in England have tried to avail free meals since the pandemic began.

The United Kingdom is currently in the middle of a controversy over free meals for school children in the country. Half term for school students is set to begin in England soon, and the country has refused to extend its free meals scheme for school children.

The United Kingdom is currently in the middle of a controversy over free meals for school children in the country. Half term for school students is set to begin in England soon, and the country has refused to extend its free meals scheme for school children. The government had extended its free meals scheme to children during the Easter holidays this year. After campaigning by high profile celebrities like the football player Rashford, the government extended the free meals programme. Owing to the government's refusal to continue the programme, councils across the country are providing vouchers for meals, with hundreds of businesses offering parcels to vulnerable children. Also read: UK police deal with incident aboard tanker off English coast Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary had referred to the community-driven campaigns as "brilliant", while adding that the best way to provide help to those in need was through councils in conversation with BBC. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently under pressure to extend the programme, with the opposition also pressurising him into doing the same. Three other constituents of the United Kingdom - Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have introduced food voucher schemes. The government is facing increasing pressure from external factors as well. Manchester United's petition calling for the extension of meal schemes had gained traction online, with over 870,000 signatures by Monday. Hancock told BBC that Rashford and Boris Johnson had been in touch, saying "there has been communication between the two". He also expected the matter to be followed up. Also read: UK pub bans Rishi Sunak for life after he voted against free school meals In conversation with the BBC, Hancock also defended the government's stance in terms of its refusal to extend help programmes. According to Hancock, the government has increased Universal Credit, and has also allocated £63m to authorities at the local level. In mid-October, Conservative MPs voted against Labour Party's attempt to continue the free meals schemes by 322 votes to 261. In 2019, about 1.3 million children availed free meals scheme in England - this constitutes about 15% of school students in the country. According to the Food Foundation, 900,000 children in England have tried to avail free meals since the pandemic began.

England: Debate over free school meals accelerates as half term begins

British police said on Sunday they were dealing with an incident aboard an oil tanker near the coast of the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England, and British media said a small number of stowaways had been found.

Two sources with knowledge of the situation said the vessel was the tanker Nave Andromeda.

Sky News said up to seven stowaways had been discovered on board, and broadcast live images of the ship. The BBC cited lawyers for the ship`s owners as saying it was "100% not a hijacking". Reuters has contacted the owners for comment.

Police did not immediately confirm details of the incident to Reuters. Britain`s interior ministry, which is responsible for border control, did not have any immediate comment.

The local police force said in a statement, "We are aware and dealing with an ongoing incident onboard a vessel which is situated south of the Isle of Wight".

The coastguard agency said search and rescue helicopters were attending the incident but did not give details. 
Refinitiv vessel tracking data showed the Liberia-flagged Nave Andromeda had been expected to arrive in the English port of Southampton at 1030 GMT on Sunday. The vessel had departed from Lagos, Nigeria, the data showed.

The Nave Andromeda`s registered owner is Folegandros Shipping Corp, and the vessel is managed by Greek shipping company Navios Tankers Management Inc., according to Refinitiv.

A spokesperson for the UK Chamber of Shipping said: “We are aware of an incident onboard the Nave Andromeda off the Isle of Wight and are in contact with the relevant authorities. We believe it is likely to be related to stowaways onboard but are awaiting more information.”

Lawmaker Bob Seely, who represents the Isle of Wight constituency closest to the vessel, told Sky News he expected the incident to be handled by marine counter-terrorism forces, but that it was too early to call it a hijacking.

In December 2018 British forces stormed an Italian cargo ship and regained control after stowaways threatened crew members as it sailed close to the coast of southeast England.

British police said on Sunday they were dealing with an incident aboard an oil tanker near the coast of the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England, and British media said a small number of stowaways had been found.

British police said on Sunday they were dealing with an incident aboard an oil tanker near the coast of the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England, and British media said a small number of stowaways had been found. Two sources with knowledge of the situation said the vessel was the tanker Nave Andromeda. Sky News said up to seven stowaways had been discovered on board, and broadcast live images of the ship. The BBC cited lawyers for the ship`s owners as saying it was "100% not a hijacking". Reuters has contacted the owners for comment. Police did not immediately confirm details of the incident to Reuters. Britain`s interior ministry, which is responsible for border control, did not have any immediate comment. The local police force said in a statement, "We are aware and dealing with an ongoing incident onboard a vessel which is situated south of the Isle of Wight". The coastguard agency said search and rescue helicopters were attending the incident but did not give details. Refinitiv vessel tracking data showed the Liberia-flagged Nave Andromeda had been expected to arrive in the English port of Southampton at 1030 GMT on Sunday. The vessel had departed from Lagos, Nigeria, the data showed. The Nave Andromeda`s registered owner is Folegandros Shipping Corp, and the vessel is managed by Greek shipping company Navios Tankers Management Inc., according to Refinitiv. A spokesperson for the UK Chamber of Shipping said: “We are aware of an incident onboard the Nave Andromeda off the Isle of Wight and are in contact with the relevant authorities. We believe it is likely to be related to stowaways onboard but are awaiting more information.” Lawmaker Bob Seely, who represents the Isle of Wight constituency closest to the vessel, told Sky News he expected the incident to be handled by marine counter-terrorism forces, but that it was too early to call it a hijacking. In December 2018 British forces stormed an Italian cargo ship and regained control after stowaways threatened crew members as it sailed close to the coast of southeast England.

UK police deal with incident aboard tanker off English coast

A pub in the United Kingdom has banned the&nbsp;UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak for life as retaliation for voting against free school meals for children of the country.

The Mill pub and its connected Il Mulino restaurant at Stokesley in North Yorkshire took to social media platform Facebook to express their sadness and anger towards Sunak's decision.

"The Government voted against extending free school meals. This is disgusting! What’s worse Matt Vickers MP Simon Clarke MP &amp; Jacob Young - MP for Redcar &amp; Cleveland &nbsp;Rishi Sunak all voted against the scheme. DISGUSTING! ," the post read.

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He further announced a ban on the four politicians saying, "All 4 are now barred from The Mill &amp; Il Mulino for life. I don’t want their business."

The statement came after Rishi Sunak voted against&nbsp;extending the government's temporary free meals for schoolchildren as part of a campaign led by England team footballer Marcus Rashford — a decision that was highly criticised across the country.

"Shame on our government, this is so wrong!," the post reads.

Mill's Facebook post has been shared more than 11,000 times (and counting) with more than 530 comments supporting the team's decision.

To add on to the movement, the owner also announced that he will be delivering at least 100 freshly cooked hot meals to three food banks to help locals amid a pandemic.

"Tuesday, Wednesday &amp; Thursday next week I will deliver 100 freshly cooked healthy meals to 3 separate food banks in the Middlesbrough area," the post read.

He also criticised the government for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives in the country, pushing the UK into a second lockdown.

"I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of every argument.&nbsp;Forget the poor handling of Covid for a minute and concentrate on what happend yesterday," he said.

He also attached a copy The Mill's subsidised menu from the&nbsp;House of Commons saying, "You know who is subsiding it? YOU!"

A pub in the United Kingdom has banned the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak for life as retaliation for voting against free school meals for children of the country. The Mill pub and its connected Il Mulino restaurant at Stokesley in North Yorkshire took to social media platform Facebook to express their sadness and anger towards Sunak's decision.

A pub in the United Kingdom has banned the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak for life as retaliation for voting against free school meals for children of the country. The Mill pub and its connected Il Mulino restaurant at Stokesley in North Yorkshire took to social media platform Facebook to express their sadness and anger towards Sunak's decision. "The Government voted against extending free school meals. This is disgusting! What’s worse Matt Vickers MP Simon Clarke MP & Jacob Young - MP for Redcar & Cleveland Rishi Sunak all voted against the scheme. DISGUSTING! ," the post read. Don’t usually do politics but here goes.... I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of... Posted by The Mill on Friday, October 23, 2020 × He further announced a ban on the four politicians saying, "All 4 are now barred from The Mill & Il Mulino for life. I don’t want their business." The statement came after Rishi Sunak voted against extending the government's temporary free meals for schoolchildren as part of a campaign led by England team footballer Marcus Rashford — a decision that was highly criticised across the country. "Shame on our government, this is so wrong!," the post reads. Mill's Facebook post has been shared more than 11,000 times (and counting) with more than 530 comments supporting the team's decision. To add on to the movement, the owner also announced that he will be delivering at least 100 freshly cooked hot meals to three food banks to help locals amid a pandemic. "Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday next week I will deliver 100 freshly cooked healthy meals to 3 separate food banks in the Middlesbrough area," the post read. He also criticised the government for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives in the country, pushing the UK into a second lockdown. "I have never known a Government which is consistently the wrong end of every argument. Forget the poor handling of Covid for a minute and concentrate on what happend yesterday," he said. He also attached a copy The Mill's subsidised menu from the House of Commons saying, "You know who is subsiding it? YOU!"

UK pub bans Rishi Sunak for life after he voted against free school meals

In her 2016 deposition made public on Thursday, Ghislane Maxwell has strongly rejected allegations that she had seen late financier Jeffrey Epstein have sex with underage girls. She has also rejected suggestions that she helped Epstein arrange illicit sexual encounters.

In her deposition, the British socialite at times appeared insistent and frequently evasive as she responded under oath over 9-1/2 hours to questions from lawyers for Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in April 2016, as part of a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit against her.

"I can only testify to what I know and the fact (Giuffre) has lied about me from the beginning to the end," Maxwell said.

Ghislaine Maxwell (58) has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that she helped Epstein recruit and groom underage girls as young as 14 in illegal sexual acts in mid 90s. He has also denied that she lied about her involvement.

Maxwell's 418-page deposition left unresolved who else she might have known was involved in Epstein's orbit. Nearly all names other than hers and Epstein's were blacked out.

But her lawyers had fought hard to keep the deposition under wraps, saying the release could violate her right against self-incrimination, and that bad publicity could make it hard to find an impartial jury in her criminal case.

Maxwell's lawyers have argued the "intimate" and "personal" questions she was asked could suggest Giuffre's lawyers believed they had a factual basis to ask them, even if the suggested misconduct never happened.

At one point, Maxwell called Giuffre an "absolute and total liar" when asked if she and Epstein had three-way sex.

But a federal appeals court on Monday said the public's right to see the deposition and other materials also released on Thursday outweighed Maxwell's concerns.

U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska later directed that the materials be unsealed, which Giuffre and the Miami Herald newspaper had sought.

Maxwell's father was British media mogul Robert Maxwell. Her trial is scheduled for July 2021.

"The unsealing of this transcript has resulted in the public dissemination of salacious questions and answers that can linger in the minds of potential jurors," said Brian McMonagle, a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia who is not involved in the case.

Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Giuffre, in a statement called the unsealing "a long time coming and a welcome step towards revealing the evidence of the scope and scale of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking ring."

Reuters said that lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Denials

Epstein once counted US President Donald Trump, former US President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew as friends. They have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.

Giuffre, 37, has said Epstein kept her as a "sex slave" with Maxwell's assistance, and told BBC's "Panorama" that Epstein brought her to London in 2001 to meet the prince, one of three occasions when she claimed to have had sex with Andrew.

Andrew has denied the allegations.

Maxwell acknowledged in the deposition having maintained contact with Epstein even after his 2008 guilty plea to Florida state prosecution charges, landing him a 13-month jail sentence.

"I'm a very loyal person and Jeffrey was very good to me when my father passed away," she said.

Maxwell said much of her work for Epstein before then involved hiring architects, cooks, decorators, gardeners, pool cleaners and others to help him maintain six homes.

Epstein's properties included a townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, a home in Palm Beach, Florida, and two entire islands within the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"[A] very small part of my job was from time to time to find adult professional massage therapists for Jeffrey," Maxwell said.

"I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever," she added.

Maxwell appeared evasive when a lawyer for Giuffre pressed whether she hired Giuffre to give Epstein an erotic massage, saying Giuffre "held herself out as a masseuse and invited herself to come and give a massage."

She also denied having an array of "schoolgirl" or "black patent leather" outfits for Epstein's masseuses to wear, and said she did not recall a laundry basket of sex toys being kept in the Palm Beach home.

Maxwell also testified that she flew on Epstein's planes with Clinton, but wouldn't characterize the men as friends or acquaintances.

"One of [the] lies she told was that President Clinton was on [Epstein's] island where I was present," Maxwell testified. "Absolutely 1000% that is a flat out total fabrication and lie."

Maxwell was arrested on July 2 in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding on a property she bought in December while shielding her identity.

She is locked up in a Brooklyn jail after the judge in her criminal case called her an unacceptable flight risk.

Epstein killed himself at age 66 in August 2019 at a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges announced the previous month.

He had entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in 2007, before pleading guilty to the Florida state charges. That arrangement is now widely considered to have been too lenient.

(With Reuters inputs)

In her 2016 deposition made public on Thursday, Ghislane Maxwell has strongly rejected allegations that she had seen late financier Jeffrey Epstein have sex with underage girls.

In her 2016 deposition made public on Thursday, Ghislane Maxwell has strongly rejected allegations that she had seen late financier Jeffrey Epstein have sex with underage girls. She has also rejected suggestions that she helped Epstein arrange illicit sexual encounters. In her deposition, the British socialite at times appeared insistent and frequently evasive as she responded under oath over 9-1/2 hours to questions from lawyers for Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in April 2016, as part of a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit against her. "I can only testify to what I know and the fact (Giuffre) has lied about me from the beginning to the end," Maxwell said. Ghislaine Maxwell (58) has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that she helped Epstein recruit and groom underage girls as young as 14 in illegal sexual acts in mid 90s. He has also denied that she lied about her involvement. Maxwell's 418-page deposition left unresolved who else she might have known was involved in Epstein's orbit. Nearly all names other than hers and Epstein's were blacked out. But her lawyers had fought hard to keep the deposition under wraps, saying the release could violate her right against self-incrimination, and that bad publicity could make it hard to find an impartial jury in her criminal case. Maxwell's lawyers have argued the "intimate" and "personal" questions she was asked could suggest Giuffre's lawyers believed they had a factual basis to ask them, even if the suggested misconduct never happened. At one point, Maxwell called Giuffre an "absolute and total liar" when asked if she and Epstein had three-way sex. But a federal appeals court on Monday said the public's right to see the deposition and other materials also released on Thursday outweighed Maxwell's concerns. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska later directed that the materials be unsealed, which Giuffre and the Miami Herald newspaper had sought. Maxwell's father was British media mogul Robert Maxwell. Her trial is scheduled for July 2021. "The unsealing of this transcript has resulted in the public dissemination of salacious questions and answers that can linger in the minds of potential jurors," said Brian McMonagle, a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia who is not involved in the case. Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Giuffre, in a statement called the unsealing "a long time coming and a welcome step towards revealing the evidence of the scope and scale of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking ring." Reuters said that lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Denials Epstein once counted US President Donald Trump, former US President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew as friends. They have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Giuffre, 37, has said Epstein kept her as a "sex slave" with Maxwell's assistance, and told BBC's "Panorama" that Epstein brought her to London in 2001 to meet the prince, one of three occasions when she claimed to have had sex with Andrew. Andrew has denied the allegations. Maxwell acknowledged in the deposition having maintained contact with Epstein even after his 2008 guilty plea to Florida state prosecution charges, landing him a 13-month jail sentence. "I'm a very loyal person and Jeffrey was very good to me when my father passed away," she said. Maxwell said much of her work for Epstein before then involved hiring architects, cooks, decorators, gardeners, pool cleaners and others to help him maintain six homes. Epstein's properties included a townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, a home in Palm Beach, Florida, and two entire islands within the U.S. Virgin Islands. "[A] very small part of my job was from time to time to find adult professional massage therapists for Jeffrey," Maxwell said. "I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever," she added. Maxwell appeared evasive when a lawyer for Giuffre pressed whether she hired Giuffre to give Epstein an erotic massage, saying Giuffre "held herself out as a masseuse and invited herself to come and give a massage." She also denied having an array of "schoolgirl" or "black patent leather" outfits for Epstein's masseuses to wear, and said she did not recall a laundry basket of sex toys being kept in the Palm Beach home. Maxwell also testified that she flew on Epstein's planes with Clinton, but wouldn't characterize the men as friends or acquaintances. "One of [the] lies she told was that President Clinton was on [Epstein's] island where I was present," Maxwell testified. "Absolutely 1000% that is a flat out total fabrication and lie." Maxwell was arrested on July 2 in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding on a property she bought in December while shielding her identity. She is locked up in a Brooklyn jail after the judge in her criminal case called her an unacceptable flight risk. Epstein killed himself at age 66 in August 2019 at a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges announced the previous month. He had entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in 2007, before pleading guilty to the Florida state charges. That arrangement is now widely considered to have been too lenient. (With Reuters inputs)

Ghislaine Maxwell denies witnessing underage sex in Epstein deposition

Britain and Japan are set to sign a trade deal on Friday at a ceremony in Tokyo, marking London's first major post-Brexit agreement as it holds an intense round of negotiations with the European Union.

The deal covers sectors from food to textiles and tech and largely replicates the existing EU-Japan arrangement, which will no longer apply to Britain at the end of this year.

The British government has touted it as a chance to boost trade between the two countries by £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion, 16.5 billion euros).&nbsp;

It is due to take effect on January 1 -- the end of a transition period in which London and Brussels are trying to thrash out the terms of their new relationship.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-seals-temporary-brexit-trade-deal-with-efta-nations-337136">Also read:&nbsp;UK seals temporary Brexit trade deal with EFTA nations</a>

Britain and the European Union resumed their fraught talks on Thursday after the UK ended a week of threats to abandon the long-running negotiations.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London with negotiators vowing to work around the clock to salvage a trade deal and avert potential economic chaos at the end of the year -- although key sticking points still remain.

Britain's International Trade Minister Liz Truss is in Tokyo to sign the deal with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, after it was agreed in principle by the pair last month during a video call.

Truss said in a statement that Friday's signing was "a landmark moment for Britain" that "strengthens ties with a like-minded democracy, key ally and major investor".

"It secures major wins that would be impossible as part of the EU and brings together two of the world's most technologically advanced nations," her ministry added in a statement.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has been trumpeted by London as a sign to Brexit opponents that agreements can be struck elsewhere.

Japan's parliament will still need to ratify the deal by the end of the year for it to come into effect.

UK-Japanese trade was worth more than £30 billion last year, according to the British government, and their agreement has a particular focus on the food and drink, finance and tech sectors.

Britain formally left the EU in January this year, following a 2016 seismic referendum that saw voters opt to end five decades of European integration.

But under the terms of its divorce, the country will only be free of EU structures from 2021.

Britain and Japan are set to sign a trade deal on Friday at a ceremony in Tokyo, marking London's first major post-Brexit agreement as it holds an intense round of negotiations with the European Union.

Britain and Japan are set to sign a trade deal on Friday at a ceremony in Tokyo, marking London's first major post-Brexit agreement as it holds an intense round of negotiations with the European Union. The deal covers sectors from food to textiles and tech and largely replicates the existing EU-Japan arrangement, which will no longer apply to Britain at the end of this year. The British government has touted it as a chance to boost trade between the two countries by £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion, 16.5 billion euros). It is due to take effect on January 1 -- the end of a transition period in which London and Brussels are trying to thrash out the terms of their new relationship. Also read: UK seals temporary Brexit trade deal with EFTA nations Britain and the European Union resumed their fraught talks on Thursday after the UK ended a week of threats to abandon the long-running negotiations. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London with negotiators vowing to work around the clock to salvage a trade deal and avert potential economic chaos at the end of the year -- although key sticking points still remain. Britain's International Trade Minister Liz Truss is in Tokyo to sign the deal with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, after it was agreed in principle by the pair last month during a video call. Truss said in a statement that Friday's signing was "a landmark moment for Britain" that "strengthens ties with a like-minded democracy, key ally and major investor". "It secures major wins that would be impossible as part of the EU and brings together two of the world's most technologically advanced nations," her ministry added in a statement. The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has been trumpeted by London as a sign to Brexit opponents that agreements can be struck elsewhere. Japan's parliament will still need to ratify the deal by the end of the year for it to come into effect. UK-Japanese trade was worth more than £30 billion last year, according to the British government, and their agreement has a particular focus on the food and drink, finance and tech sectors. Britain formally left the EU in January this year, following a 2016 seismic referendum that saw voters opt to end five decades of European integration. But under the terms of its divorce, the country will only be free of EU structures from 2021.

Britain inks post-Brexit trade deal with Japan

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