Simulated robot performs realistic acrobatics and other news

When Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space 60 years ago, his chances of survival were only estimated to be less than 50:50, author Stephen Walker has told BBC World News. Mr Walker, whose book, Beyond, tells the story of Yuri Gagarin’s mission, says the cosmonaut was launched into space sitting at the top…

The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to Ukraine represents a huge signal of support for the Ukrainian people and government, Nina Jankowicz, an Eastern European analyst and Global Fellow at The Wilson Centre has said. She told BBC World News the US had made clear its opposition to “Russian aggression” and its support…

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has said “certain EU member states” are preventing visa liberation which would allow visa-free travel in the Schengen area. Mr Kurti told BBC Hardtalk’s Stephen Sackur that although he was critical towards the EU, he was not bitter about it. The EU helped Kosovo a lot and the…

A small study found hugs lasting five to 10 seconds are associated with being the most pleasant.

Augmented reality app, Museum Alive, is a continuation of Sir David Attenborough’s Bafta award-winning series of the same name. Featuring a Saber-toothed tiger (Smilodon), a flying reptile (Dimorphodon) and a sea creature (Opabinia), the app allows you close encounters with the animals and the opportunity to learn about the worlds they lived in. BBC Click’s…

India’s opposition Congress party is calling for a full lockdown in order for the country to get on top of the current wave of coronavirus. Spokesman Pawan Khera said the government had ignored the warnings of experts and been too slow to react to the scale of the current epidemic. He told BBC World News:…