Bildt: Kremlin escalating conflict with Ukraine is dangerous

Bildt: Kremlin escalating conflict with Ukraine is dangerous

Reports of a build-up of Russian troops on its shared border with Ukraine is “significant” and could lead to open conflict, Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations has said. He told BBC World News: “It’s clearly a deliberate decision by the Kremlin to escalate the conflict. Where this will lead us…

Australia-New Zealand travel bubble: ‘An economic windfall’

Australia-New Zealand travel bubble: ‘An economic windfall’

Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand will bring a significant economic windfall to both countries, Chris Zeiher, the Asia-Pacific spokesperson for Lonely Planet has said. He told BBC World News: “We are definitely excited about the fact that for the first time in over 12 months there will be a freedom of movement between…

Myanmar: ‘We are in danger of seeing a civil war’

Myanmar: ‘We are in danger of seeing a civil war’

The ongoing unrest in Myanmar is in danger of spiralling into an “all-out civil war”, a human rights group has warned. Hundreds of people, including children, have been killed since the military seized power in February. The coup triggered mass protests that have been met with a violent response from the authorities. “The military regime…

Urgent need for people to get Covid-19 jab, says WHO

Urgent need for people to get Covid-19 jab, says WHO

The rollout of coronavirus vaccines in Europe is “unacceptably slow” the World Health Organization’s director for Europe Dr Hans Kluge has said in a statement. Speaking to BBC World News he said: “Four months ago the WHO approved the first vaccines which means the de facto Covid-19 has become a vaccine preventable disease.” Delaying the…

HK protest: ‘Sentencing will send a signal to the world’

HK protest: ‘Sentencing will send a signal to the world’

The sentencing of seven of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy campaigners for unlawful assembly will send a message not just to Hong Kong, but to Beijing and the rest of the world about whether there is still an independent judiciary, the former Democratic Party chairperson and legislator Emily Lau has said. “We would like to…

Red Cross aid workers facing ‘intimidation’ in Myanmar

Red Cross aid workers facing ‘intimidation’ in Myanmar

Alexander Matheou, the Asia Pacific director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says aid workers are facing intimidation and attacks in Myanmar, also known as Burma. He told BBC World News that more than 30 incidents on health workers had been recorded although most of the Myanmar Red Cross activity…