Coronavirus Global Update

Researchers begin final stage of a study to see if masks and gowns can be decontaminated. Also: Russia says it's worried about low vaccine take-up and US airlines report thousands of cases of passengers exhibiting bad behaviour on flights - many refusing to wear a face mask during the pandemic.

Leaders pledge one billion doses for poorer countries. Italy eases restrictions as infection rates continue to fall across Europe, and the Argentinian football star Lionel Messi says he's concerned about contracting the virus at the Copa America in Brazil

Millions of doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines made in Baltimore are affected. Also: Saudi Arabia restricts this year's Hajj to its own citizens; and a new wave of infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo delays the return of the only remains of Patrice Lumumba.

The Carbis Bay declaration promises measures to prevent a repeat of the Covid-19 crisis. Also: politicians in Pakistan have threatened to block the mobile phones or withhold the salaries of people who refuse to be vaccinated; and 16,000 mask-wearing fans have been at the world's biggest international sporting event since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Grand gestures of Covid vaccines from the leaders of the G7, the world's richest nations, at the summit in Cornwall, but critics warn they won't be sufficient. Also: Chile's back in lockdown despite high vaccination rates and there's to be more freedom of movement for the vaccinated in much of Europe

The United Nations is warning that nine million additional children are at risk of exploitation as a result of Covid-19. Also: a new study finds that vegans and vegetarians are less likely to become severely ill from the virus than meat-eaters; and we hear how the pandemic has affected global plastic production.

The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, says Russia and China had twisted arms and demanded concessions in order to deliver coronavirus vaccines. Also, France is further easing coronavirus restrictions, and Brazil's Supreme Court will consider whether to allow the Copa America football competition because of coronavirus restrictions.

Introducing a podcast rounding-up the latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the world, with reports from affected areas and details of the latest medical information.