Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed an international agreement to ban space weapons.
“Russia is promoting an initiative to sign a binding agreement between all the leading space powers that would provide for the prohibition of the placement of weapons in outer space, or the threat or use of force,” Mr Putin said during his speech at the UN General Assembly.
He dismissed US and British accusations that Russia has been testing weapons in space.
Mr Putin also likened Russia's development of a coronavirus vaccine to the Sputnik 1 mission that placed the first satellite in orbit.
The president said the vaccine should be made widely available and suggested an online high-level conference on Covid-19 vaccines.
“We are ready to share our experience and continue co-operating with all states and international entities, including in supplying the Russian vaccine, which has proved reliable, safe and effective, to other countries," Mr Putin said.
He said Russia would provide the vaccine to all UN officials.
“A dangerous virus can affect anyone," Mr Putin said.
"The coronavirus has struck the staff of the United Nations, its headquarters and regional structures. Russia is ready to provide the UN with all the necessary qualified assistance.
"We are offering to provide a vaccine free of charge for the voluntary vaccination of the staff of the UN.”
He told the UN that Russia and the US should enter talks to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which will expire in February next year.
“Russia declared a moratorium on deploying ground-launched, medium and long-range missiles in Europe and other regions, as long as the United States of America also refrains from such actions," Mr Putin said.
"Unfortunately, we have not received any reaction to our proposal from either our US partners or their allies."
Speaking in front of the UN and Russian flags on a video recording, Mr Putin said more needed to be done to strengthen arms treaties, including "the prohibition of chemical, biological, and toxic weapons".
Moscow is under pressure to allow an investigation into the illness of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, after claims that he was poisoned with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent.
The nerve agent was used in Salisbury, England, in 2018 to attempt to kill a former Russian military officer and double agent for the UK.
The Kremlin has denied any involvement in either attack.
Mr Putin also warned other countries against interference in Russian domestic affairs, and said “cyber security also deserves most serious deliberation within the UN”.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
