The G7 countries signalled on Friday that they would lead the world through the Covid-19 pandemic by providing an extra $4 billion and millions of vaccines to developing countries.
After a two-hour virtual meeting hosted by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the world leaders also set out plans for the reversal of global biodiversity loss, as a landmark policy for the Cop26 climate change conference later this year.
In addition, they backed Japan’s hopes to hold the Olympic Games this year, delayed from 2020, “as a symbol for global unity” in conquering Covid-19.
In a joint statement the G7 said it was “resolved to work together to beat Covid-19”.
The leaders vowed to use increased international co-operation to make 2021 “a turning point for multilateralism” and to shape a recovery that promoted “the health and prosperity of our people and planet”.
With US President Joe Biden taking America back into the World Health Organisation, from which his predecessor Donald Trump withdrew, there is now greater urgency to get the vaccine distributed around the world to beat the virus mutations.
The G7 leaders promised to accelerate global vaccine development and work with industry to increase manufacturing capacity.
We are committed to levelling up our economies so that no geographic region or person, irrespective of gender or ethnicity, is left behind
The world leaders also promised to increase contributions to the Covax vaccine distribution programme – a global initiative to supply vaccines to low-income countries – by $4bn to $7.5bn.
They also invited the G20 countries and international financial institutions to donate more money “to increase developing countries’ access to WHO-approved vaccines”.
“Covid-19 shows that the world needs stronger defences against future risks to global health security,” said the G7 – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Britain and the US.
The statement disclosed that more than $6 trillion has been pumped into the seven economies since the pandemic began and now the mission was to help other countries recover, including African nations.
“Recovery from Covid-19 must build back better for all.”
In a bold position on the environment, the leaders promised to “put our global ambitions on climate change and the reversal of biodiversity loss at the centre of our plans” at the November Cop26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
They plan to deliver a “green transformation” and to cut carbon emissions “on a path to net zero no later than 2050”.
“We are committed to levelling up our economies so that no geographic region or person, irrespective of gender or ethnicity, is left behind,” the G7 said.
The group called for a fairer “rules-based multilateral trading system” that delivered balanced growth with a reformed World Trade Organisation at its centre.
They also want a solution to international taxation by mid-2021 within the framework of intergovernmental economic group the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The leaders agreed to “concrete action” on the global priorities at the G7 Summit due to be held in Cornwall, in south-west England, in June.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The five pillars of Islam
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The years Ramadan fell in May
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
