Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China

A survey of 15 countries has shown that anxieties about side effects and uncertainties around safety are the main reasons for coronavirus vaccine hesitancy. Imperial College London’s Melanie Leis, who co-led the project, told BBC World News that in the vast majority of countries surveyed more than 50% of the population had trust in the…

China’s President Xi Jinping had a “hidden message” about Taiwan in his speech marking 100 years of the Communist Party, Prof Shaun Breslin has said. The author of China Risen told BBC World News that China’s leader was warning other countries to steer clear of issues about Taiwan. “I think there is also a hidden…

A leading campaigner for women’s rights in Afghanistan was evacuated from Kabul last week, after going into hiding.

Microsoft’s E3 press conference had plenty of heavy hitters, including the next Halo, a first look at Bethesda’s new Starfield space game which finally has a release date, and Forza Horizon 5, which is heading to Mexico. And nearly all the games shown off are headed to Microsoft’s subscription Game Pass Service, which it’s keen…

Australia’s vaccination rollout has really picked up in recent months, partly due to Covid outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne. But in remote areas hardly touched by the virus, it’s often a different story. Australia’s famous Royal Flying Doctor Service is part of a huge logistical effort to get jabs in arms. The BBC joined them…

The former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has described the Taliban as his “brothers” in an exclusive interview with the BBC. Speaking to the BBC’s Yalda Hakim, Mr Karzai was pressed on when girls and women would be able to go back into education and work. He said he had had conversations about this and…