Pakistan, Nigeria, and Indonesia will be among the biggest recipients of free COVID-19 vaccines before June - more than 10 million doses each - the COVAX scheme announced Tuesday.Some 238.2 million doses will be distributed around the world by the end of May through the programme aimed at boosting access to coronavirus jabs in poorer nations.Though vaccination campaigns have gathered pace globally, the majority of injections have been administered in wealthier countries while many nations hav

Britain has called for the United Nations (UN) Security Council to meet Friday on Myanmar, diplomatic sources told the media, as security forces have steadily stepped up their use of violence against anti-coup demonstrators in the Southeast Asian nation.Authorities fired live rounds and tear gas at protesters again on Tuesday, leaving at least three people critically injured as international pressure has grown since the military's 1 February ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.The

When the novel coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China – the unknown and new virus was initially referred to as the “Wuhan virus” or “China virus.” Outbreaks have always been associated with places and regions, such as the Spanish Flu and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

It is unrealistic to think the world will be done with the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of the year, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Monday.WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said it might however be possible to take the tragedy out of the coronavirus crisis by reducing hospitalisations and deaths.But the virus remains in control, he added, especially given that global new case numbers increased last week after six consecutive weeks of decline."It will be very premature, an

Ousted Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was hit with two new criminal charges in a court appearance via video link on Monday, one month after a military coup triggered relentless mass protests.Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since being detained on 1 February, and her court appearance came as demonstrators marched across the country defying an escalation of deadly force by the junta.At least 18 people were killed Sunday as troops and police fired at demonstrators in cities across

Myanmar security forces opened fire on protestors Sunday, killing at least eight in the bloodiest action so far to smother opposition to the military coup four weeks ago.The junta is battling to contain a massive street movement demanding it yield power and release ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained along with top political allies at the start of the month.Sunday brought a significant escalation in force, with fatal shootings of protesters in at least four cities around

Thai police shot rubber bullets and used water cannon and tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok on Sunday at a rally outside a military barracks housing the prime minister's residence.A youth-led protest movement calling for the resignation of Prayut Chan-o-cha's government had lost steam in recent months following a second wave of coronavirus infections in Thailand.But the recent detention of four prominent protest leaders on royal defamation charges has given it a s

The United States (US) on Friday for the first time publicly accused Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of approving the gruesome murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but stopped short of targeting the powerful heir apparent.The prince, who is de facto ruler of the US ally and oil provider, "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said an intelligence report newly declassified by President Joe Biden's admini

Myanmar's junta fired its United Nations (UN) ambassador Saturday for breaking ranks to denounce the military's ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as police stepped up a crackdown on protesters across the country. The country has been shaken by a wave of demonstrations since a coup toppled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February. Authorities have ramped up the use of force to suppress dissent, deploying tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to d

The United Nations (UN) Security Council gave unanimous approval Friday to a resolution calling for improved access to COVID-19 vaccines in conflict-hit or impoverished countries, diplomats said.It was the second resolution on the pandemic passed by the council since it began a year ago.In a rare gesture, it was co-sponsored by all 15 members of the council, diplomats said."We are all facing the same threat, the same pandemic and international cooperation and multilateral action is neede