Russian elections: How democratic are they?

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…

Lawmakers in Hungary have passed legislation prohibiting the sharing with minors of any content seen as promoting homosexuality and gender change. Speaking before the legislation was passed Hungary’s Momentum Movement MEP Katalin Cseh said the law would make it very hard for LGBTQ people to live in the country. She told BBC World News: “I…

Major General Chris Donahue is the last American to board the final US military flight out of Afghanistan. As the Taliban took over Kabul airport at the start of 31 August – the deadline President Biden had set for US withdrawal – shots were fired into the skies in celebration.

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…

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…

Scientists are trialling a pill that could minimise the effects of Covid-19 after a patient has been infected. The drug called Favipiravir is licensed in Japan for flu. Kevin Blyth, professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Glasgow said he hoped the trial results would be out later this year. He told BBC World…