The way coronavirus vaccines are being distributed to lower-income countries will be the key issue at the upcoming G7 summit, a former UK ambassador to the US has said.
Sir Nigel Sheinwald told BBC World News a clear statement of intent “in terms of money on the table” was needed from G7 countries to kickstart an international approach involving the G20, United Nations, World Health Organization and others.
Long-time democracy campaigner and Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov has said he is very concerned for the health of Alexei Navalny who is three weeks into a prison hunger strike. He told BBC World News: “We understand that the West cannot save Navalny, but it can seal his fate by simply ignoring him.” It was…
Foreign countries should stop encouraging Afghans to leave as the country needs their talents, a Taliban spokesman has said. Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan nationals should head back to their homes, jobs and normal life, as there was “no danger” to them, adding: “Let’s live together.” He told a press conference that “war for us has…
Thousands of people from the Karen, or Kayin, state of Myanmar have fled to Thailand in recent days following airstrikes by Myanmar’s military. But those that have crossed into Thailand are now being told to go home, a spokesperson for the Karen Peace Support Network said. The spokesperson, whose identity is being concealed for security…
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 Omicron coronavirus variant has been designated as a “variant of concern” but it was important not to panic, the spokesperson for the World Health Organization has said. The aim is to get the world alert, step-up surveillance and public health measures, but not overreact, Dr Margaret Harris told BBC World News’s Yalda Hakim. Read…
The Biden-Putin Geneva summit was prompted by a phone call when the US president called the Russian leader telling him to “back off” over Ukraine, the former acting US ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, has said. He told BBC World News that President Biden had told President Putin he would face sanctions over his actions,…
