in the canary island of la palma, where a volcano continues to erupt. we'll bring you the latest from the island. live from our studio in singapore... this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's six in the morning in singapore and six in the evening in new york, where the united nations general assembly is taking place. at a virtual summit on the sidelines of the unga, president biden asked world leaders to pledge to vaccinate 70% of the world's population against covid—19, by september next year. he said america would buy an additional 500 million doses of the pfizer vaccine to donate to poorer countries. research underlines a stark contrast — richer countries have vaccinated much of their populations while poorer ones are lagging far behind. our health editor, hugh pym, has more details. wealthier nations are pushing on with boosterjabs, but it's a different story in low—income countries in africa and around the world, where vaccination rates are much lower. that divergence has been criticised by the world health organization, and there've been growing calls for more vaccine doses to be diverted to those most in need. they're going to come together, and they're going to attack the problem... a leading advocate for vaccine supplies to africa said action was needed by the richest nations. promises do not translate into vaccines and jabs in people's arms. commitments are not jabs in people's arms. people are dying for want of a vaccine. now, i spoke at the who meeting, and on that same day, a member of my household had just died, a 30—year—old woman, because she was unvaccinated. new research suggests that, by the end of this year, there'll be around 1 billion surplus vaccine doses in the g7 group of the wealthiest nations, including the uk and the european union. of those, around 100 million doses will be past their use—by date by december. as of now, estimates vary, but it's thought that only around 3% of the population of africa have been fully vaccinated. that's simple waste. people hate waste. lives could be saved as a result of having these vaccines. the former prime minister gordon brown, now who ambassador for health financing, says shifting vaccines is in everyone�*s interests. if the disease spreads in africa and in low—income countries, and if it mutates and there are new variants, it's going to come back to haunt even the fully vaccinated here. nobody's safe until everybody's safe. the g7 summit in cornwall injune pledged a billion doses to poor countries as a big step towards vaccinating the world, but critics say the process has moved too slowly. today, president biden, at a covid—19 virtual summit, promised to double the us contribution. this is a global tragedy, - and we're not going to solve this crisis with half measures - or middle—of—the—road ambitions. we need to go big. but will a pledge to "go big" actually deliver? african countries, and others, will want to see vaccine supplies arriving at a faster rate before passing judgment. hugh pym, bbc news. i'm joined now by unicef�*s head of advocacy for health, vaccines and pandemic response, lily caprani, in new york. great to have you on newsday. i want to start by asking. — great to have you on newsday. i want to start by asking, we've _ great to have you on newsday. i want to start by asking, we've heard - great to have you on newsday. i want to start by asking, we've heard of - to start by asking, we've heard of that significant booster number from the us, but we have seen the us pledging large numbers of doses before. only really delivering a fraction. is this time different? well, it's right, we've seen pledges made today on top of many pages made earlier at the g7. it's worth acknowledging the us has shown great leadership, and again today, is trying to raise the ambition so that everyone in the world who has enough supplies of vaccines can come together and make sure they get to the lowest income countries. but you're also right that pledges are not enough. we need to turn those into action immediately. in the lowest income countries where there are still doctors and nurses and midwives who are not vaccinated against covid—i9, they cannot afford to wait until next year. they need to wait until next year. they need to be protected now and the communities that rely on them need them to be vaccinated now. so, today's pledges are promising, but until we see those vaccines, we cannot stop calling for action. emily, what is holding rich countries back from being able to deliver these vaccines on time to the countries that need it?- the countries that need it? well, we know that there _ the countries that need it? well, we know that there are _ the countries that need it? well, we know that there are still _ the countries that need it? well, we know that there are still more - know that there are still more people in the world who want a vaccine then there are vaccines. it's a difficult time. but we also know there are enough vaccines to be able to protect at the very least all vulnerable people and all front line health care workers in every country. the message to high income countries is, don't do that at the cost of donating vaccines at the rest of the world. we're not going to be safe anywhere until everybody is protected. in fact, any family is going to be put at risk as long as we allow countries where there is low vaccination coverage to see new variants. we can't afford to wait. wise words from you, lily. echoing the sentiments of gordon brown. do you think this pledge will convince other countries to do their part? we've certainly seen lots of global leaders come together, convened by president biden, at this special summit at the un general assembly. we saw many pledges and commitments to global action. now we just need to global action. now we just need to see that translated to reality, and we also heard that there will be more meetings later in the year and next year, so all of our partners who are working through covax to achieve this very impressive goal will be following closely to make sure these commitments turn into reality. every day that they don't, people's lives are at risk, and communities that rely on fragile health care systems in poorer countries could see themselves go without protection. lilian countries could see themselves go without protection.— without protection. lily, i want to ask ou without protection. lily, i want to ask you how _ without protection. lily, i want to ask you how much _ without protection. lily, i want to ask you how much of— without protection. lily, i want to ask you how much of a _ without protection. lily, i want to ask you how much of a problem l without protection. lily, i want to l ask you how much of a problem are vaccine manufacturers are in this. what more can they do?- what more can they do? vaccine manufacturers _ what more can they do? vaccine manufacturers are _ what more can they do? vaccine manufacturers are trying - what more can they do? vaccine manufacturers are trying to - manufacturers are trying to manufacturers are trying to manufacture as much supply as they can, but of course there is a queue for supplies, and we know that covax, you know that —— unicef and all of us are in the queue. sometimes we don't know where, so we would call on the manufacturers and the higher income countries to be transparent, share more information, help us get information on how we can expect these to arrive. at the moment, we aren't necessarily getting supplies as fast as we need them. , . ~ getting supplies as fast as we need them. , ., ~ i. ., ., , them. lily, thank you for “oining us on newsday. — plenty more information on our website on this story, including an article by our population correspondent, stephanie hegarty, on the imbalance of the world's vaccine supply. just head to bbc.com/news or download the bbc news app. there's less than six weeks to go before a crucial climate conference, known as cop26, will take place in glasgow, scotland. one of its goals will be to persuade industrialised nations to phase out their dependence on coal. now, if you were watching newsday yesterday, you might remember the story we told you about china promising to stop funding coal—fired power projects abroad. but many economies around the world are still dependent on the fossil fuel, like india, where new plants continue to be built. so, how do fast developing nations satisfy the demand for energy while trying to curb emissions? our correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports now from the east indian state of odissa. india's coal belt helps power this vast nation. more than two—thirds of the country's energy production still depends on it. such is the demand that the country is planning on building, or expanding, dozens of mines in the coming years and also continues to import coal. there is pressure on india to reduce its emissions. but cutting coal use is a tricky balance. a major pollutant in the country, the dirtiest fuels, coal is also a major source ofjobs in these communities, which are some of india's poorest. india cannot live without coal. our country is a developing country. coal is one of the major resources for indians. if we stop the coal production under the pressure of the world community, then how can we maintain our livelihoods? and how can india meet the energy needs of the population of more than 1.3 billion? a growing middle class is driving that demand. although the average indian still uses far less energy than the average brit or american. india is already shifting to cleaner sources, like solar. experts say the country needs more investment to make the switch to renewables. india has already set out some of the most aggressive renewable energy targets in the world. the more rapidly we can get more investment, more capital, more money into solar, wind, bioenergy and so forth, the quicker we can keep shifting away from the older energy infrastructure. but making that shift means reaching communities like these. where the oldest and most basic forms of energy are the only option. jhuna is one of the tens of millions of indians who still don't have access to power. "there is no electricity, there is no water. "if we don't have coal, we can't cook. "if it's harmful, what can we do about it?" she tells me. "we have no other option. "at night, we burn coal and keep it in the house "so we also have some light." what people here want so badly is what so many in the west have long taken for granted. in india, progress comes at a price. it means cutting the cord with coal could take time. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news, odissa. let's take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk. another two energy firms, avro and green, have gone bust as a result of the spike in wholesale gas prices. this takes the total number customers who've seen their energy supplier go out of business this month to around 1.5 million. the regulator, ofgem, says it is trying to find a solution to deal with the rising prices. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, has paid tribute to a primary school teacher who was found dead in a park in greenwich, london, last saturday. police say sabina nessa, who was 28 and from kidbrooke, was murdered. mr khan said that "women and girls deserve to feel safe at all times" in every part of london. a vigil is being held on friday evening. the government has won a high court ruling, which means climate change protesters could be jailed if they continue a campaign of disruption on the m25 motorway. the insulate britain group has blocked parts of the busy motorway surrounding greater london five times in the past two weeks. the department for transport says more than 200 campaigners have been arrested at the protests. the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has promised a strong response after one of his top aides survived an apparent assassination attempt. speaking from the un in new york, he said he had no idea who was behind the attack, but it could be people �*within or outside' the country. a volley of bullets hit the political aide's car as he left home. our ukraine correspondent, jonah fisher, has more details from kyiv. sergei shefir, who is, as you said, one of president zelensky�*s closest aides — he dates back to before president zelensky, president zelensky was in the entertainment industry and he worked with him there — so a close contact who works very closely with him. this morning, the car that mr shefir was in was targeted by what appears to have been machine—gun fire. according to the police, it was hit ten times. the driver of that car is in a serious condition — he was struck several times. mr shefir himself, well, he seems to be ok. there are people who have spoken to him, but certainly, the way it's been described by those close to president zelensky here at the moment is this was an assassination attempt, and they're linking it to his work with the president. if you want to get in touch with me on any of the stories you seen so far — i'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... a warning that air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health. benjohnson, the fastest man on earth, is flying home to canada in disgrace. all athletes should be clean going into the games. i'm just happy that justice is served. it is a simple fact that this morning, these people were in their homes. tonight, those homes have been burnt down by serbian soldiers and police. all the taliban positions alongj here have been strengthened, presumably in case i the americans invade. it's no use having a secret service which cannot preserve its own secrets against the world, and so the british government has no option but to continue this action, even after any adverse judgment in australia. concorde had crossed the atlantic faster than any plane ever before, breaking the record by six minutes. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani. our top story... during a virtual summit with world leaders, president biden promises to donate half a billion coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries, but the world health organization warns they need help now. for the first time in 15 years, the world health organization has updated its air quality guidelines. for most pollutants, the global health body has reduced the amount now deemed to be safe. for instance, particulate matter 2.5, a pollutant which can go into your lungs and bloodstream, the amount now deemed to be safe is being halved to just 5 micrograms. and if i tell you that currently in beijing, the levels are eight times the new who limit — you will see the size of the challenge. as for nitrogen dioxide — that's the exhaust fumes we get from diesel cars — the guidance from the who for annual exposure was cut to a quarter of the previous recommended level. according to the who, air pollution is the single biggest environmental threat to human health. so, let's hear now from some key players from the world health organisation about that decision to change the guidance. what i would recommend to the broad... i mean, to the citizens, as i say, definitely we can change our lifestyle in a positive way. and this change in the lifestyle will have plenty of benefits, not only for reducing our pollution, but for more sustainable life and creating healthy life conditions. interest in these air—quality guidelines, i would say say 15 years in the making, but the timing could not be more opportune. we know environment risks, climate change on everyone's agenda. and it will be the focus as the doctor was pointing out of high—level discussions and we hope agreements at the cop26 in glasgow beginning next month. finally, health is wealth. i think that's very important to keep in mind if you talk about investing. and second, leaving no—one behind. as she was mentioning, the vulnerable are already punished twice. a free trade deal between the united kingdom and the united states, widely touted as one of the benefits of brexit, will not be happening any time soon. the prime minister, borisjohnson, who's held talks with president biden at the white house, insisted there was �*every prospect�* of a major agreement in the future, but said that the focus for now was on �*practical steps�*, in his words, to help british exporters. our political editor, laura kuenssberg, reports. the most solemn dedication of the pact that spans the atlantic, lives lost side by side. memories fade maybe, but what shape does a 21st—century relationship take? it does not, not now, mean a trade deal, promised when a very different president sat in that cream armchair. the white house dangles cooperation, but a big pact is not in sight. we are going to talk about trade a little bit today and we�*re going to have to work that through. on capitol hill this morning, there seemed more interest in awkward questions about royal spats. on your question about the royal family, i get a free pass on that one. a swerve. relations seemed friendly, but all the hand holding in the world won�*t make a trade deal come any faster. ministers have even been considering trying to pursue trade ties through different routes. what we're wanting to do is make solid incremental steps on trade. the biden administration is not doing free trade deals around the world right now, but i've got absolutely every confidence that a great deal is there to be done, and there are plenty of people in that building behind me who certainly want to do one. downing street maintains the relationship�*s made great strides forward, but the disappearing trade deal has been noticed at home. can i begin by offering my commiserations to the prime minister, after he flew away to the us and made absolutely zero progress on the trade deal that he promised us? british hopes of a quick trade deal with the united states had already faded, but this visit has confirmed it simply isn�*t a priority for this white house. but borisjohnson will leave the united states tonight still confident this frantic few days has been worth it. there�*s been progress on security and particularly on climate, persuading the united states to put more money towards tackling climate change, and that�*s a message borisjohnson will hammer again in new york at the united nations tonight. in that effort, the uk seems to have the us in its corner. the relationship between a prime minister and a president, central to any government, a partnership that can disappoint or delight, but always defines. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, washington, dc. let�*s take a look at some other stories in the headlines. the five permanent members of the un security council are meeting to discuss how to respond to the taliban takeover of afghanistan. britain has been calling in advance for a unified response, but russia and china both appear more willing to recognise the taliban government than either the united states or the uk. the united states and france have attempted to defuse the row sparked by the security pact announced last week between the us, australia and britain. joe biden and emmanuel macron agreed over the phone that france would reinstate its ambassador in washington. the leaders also agreed to meet in person in october. colombia says 19,000 migrants, most of them from haiti, are stuck in a coastal town near the border with panama. the authorities say it�*s been overwhelmed. many of the migrants are trying to reach the us. panama only allows 250 people per day to cross the gulf of uraba near the border between the two countries. from there, migrants proceed on foot to panama, as part of a long journey north towards the united states. i want to take you to some live pictures now from the spanish island of la palma, where lava is continuing to flow from the volcano that erupted last weekend. the eruption has now destroyed about 200 homes. there are fears that when the lava hits the sea, it will create toxic gases and explosions. danjohnson reports from la palma. it�*s possible the wind direction has changed today because we are starting to see more ash falling in other places. this is la laguna, a villagejust outside the restricted zone. these are the roadblocks where police are keeping people back from the villages that have been evacuated. occasionally, a few residents are allowed through to get the last of their belongings. but in the main, there are more roadblocks and more roads that are disrupted because of where the lava is flowing. some roads have been completely smothered. others the police have closed to keep people back. and you can see how much ash has fallen here and it�*s coming down the whole time. sometimes really fine volcanic dust, sometimes thicker particles. if i hold out my hand you might be able to actually see it falling from the sky and landing. and that is happening continuously. that�*s why we�*ve got the masks and we�*ve also got eye protection as well. one other problem has been traffic jams because of the amount of roads that are closed. the traffic is building up with people trying to get through and there�*s a risk that this side of the island actually gets cut off by the lava flow. that will probably happen at some point. so we�*re starting to see how everyday life is being disrupted here and this eruption is causing problems notjust for the people whose homes are directly at risk. and the big question is how long will this last and what will the future impact be. we�*ve seen banana plantations which are the main source of industry here, we�*ve seen banana leaves covered in ash. will they be productive in future, that is one question. but for now, the emphasis is still on the volcano that continues to erupt and the sky is looking a bit darker today. is looking a bit darker today, with that ash cloud continuing to spread particles right across the eastern and southern tip of la palma. spectacular pictures there. showing the full force of the power of nature. it�*s so disruptive and devastating for so many people living around that volcano. that�*s all the time we have on newsday. thanks forjoining us, do stay with us. hello. wednesday wasn�*t a bad day at all for the greater part of england and wales. but, quite a significant but, they�*rejust but, there�*s a different kettle of fish at least for a time through wednesday and parts of scotland and northern ireland, where you had to contend with the weather front which is bringing this increase in cloud and at times bits and pieces of rain. through into thursday, we�*re going to see quite a vigorous area of low pressure dragging its way over towards southern parts of scandinavia. notice how tightly packed those isobars are. the wind is going to be a real feature across the north of mainland scotland and especially so through the northern isles. it isn�*tjust the strength of the winds, there will be showers if not longer spells of rain. here, we have the gusts and you�*ll see indication they are 65, possibly 75 mph as we get on through the day light hours of thursday morning. even further south, the gusts really quite significant. wednesday�*s weather front just producing the odd bits and pieces of rain and sufficient cloud for a time and then slumping to the southwest of england. all the while the low pressure moves away from scotland, pulling its frontal system with it. a weak linkage back towards more cloud and rain getting towards the western side of scotland. but with sunshine through wales, the midlands and eastern england through the afternoon, 22, possibly even 23 degrees. much of the weather action to be found across our northwestern corner of scotland as we bring those new weather fronts in with a low centre close by to the eastern side of iceland. through friday, the wind is just beginning to fall back to the west and the southwest a relatively mild direction. any suggestion of the cold air behind tonight slowjust over behind tonight�*s lowjust over the northeast of scotland, that will be pulled away and will all be flooded into this moisture—laden west to south—westerly air flows as you get on through friday. anywhere facing those western shores could well pick up and of cloud could well pick up enough cloud for the odd bit of rain, but again, was some brightness for the issue could be looking at 22, 23 degrees. come the weekend it won�*t be west and southwest it will be south and south—westerly winds which will pump it really mild air up and across the greater part of the british isles. it�*s not wall—to—wall sunshine, nor is it dry for everybody. there will be a scattering of showers, but for the time of year, i suspect it will feel very pleasantly mild. this is bbc news, the headlines. president biden has announced the united states will donate anotherfive hundred million coronavirus vaccines to low income countries in need. joe biden described the pandemic as a global tragedy which couldn�*t be solved with half measures. france will return its ambassador to the united states after a row over a new defence pact between the us, uk and australia. president biden and emmanuel macron will hold talks in october. another two energy suppliers in the uk have gone out of business caused by the huge increase in the cost of gas. combined with other recent failures, it means 1.5 million people are now facing a switch to a new, more expensive firm. lava pouring from a volcano on the spanish island of la palma has damaged hundreds of homes, as it heads towards the coast. thousands of people have been forced to flee the path of the lava.