What Blinken told Beijing

Hello. Our correspondent Tom Bateman travelled with Antony Blinken in China. He describes the mood on the trip. The US Secretary of State met Chinese officials, then told Laura Bicker the US had some words of caution for Beijing. Michelle Roberts explains why a new vaccine is being described as "one of the most exciting things we've seen". You also must see a remarkable painting, and we've got details of how Formula E is speeding things along for the more everyday electric vehicle driver. Finally, my colleagues at The Essential List newsletter have some exciting news: their round-up of our best feature content is going twice-weekly. I can highly recommend signing up.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Personalised melanoma vaccine tested

Steve Young is one of the UK patients enrolled on the trial. Credit: PA Media.

An important trial of the world's first "personalised" mRNA vaccine against the deadliest form of skin cancer - melanoma - has begun in the UK. The treatment uses the unique genetic signature of the patient's own tumour to fight the cancer cells. It uses the same technology as current Covid vaccines.

How does the trial work?

The vaccine is in final-stage Phase III trials in countries including the UK and Australia. In the UK, the trial wants to recruit at least 60-70 patients across eight locations. They must have had their high-risk melanoma surgically removed in the last 12 weeks to ensure the best result. Some of them will get a dummy or placebo shot rather than the vaccine. None of them know which they are receiving though.

Could this be used to treat other cancers?

Potentially. Dr Heather Shaw from University College London Hospitals, who are conducting the British trial, says it has the potential to cure people with melanoma and is being tested on other cancers - lung, bladder and kidney tumours.

How do I know if I have a melanoma?

Take a look at our article to find out what to look for, including some images for reference. With some fair warning, this probably isn’t one to read while you’re eating.

YOUR WEEKEND LISTENING

THE BIG PICTURE

Conservation does work, study finds

A snap of two Cuban crocodiles at a breeding sanctuary. Credit: Robin Moore/Re:wild.

Here's something heartening to cheer up your weekend. Efforts to protect endangered animals and plants are effective, a study suggests. Researchers spent 10 years looking at conservation projects across the globe going back as far as 1890. Positive effects were seen for turtles, trees, terns and more.

And finally... in the UK

Plumber Pete Harrington, who is wowing fans with his artworks online, says it's his ADHD diagnosis that has empowered him to create highly detailed paintings. Check out his latest, which we couldn't believe wasn't a photo.