The world's most powerful magnetic field and other news

A lack of black characters led graphic designer Yvonne and daughter Alyssa to create a videogame.

Leaders of individual countries need to work for the good of the world as a whole if we are to be better prepared to tackle pandemics, the World Health Organization’s special envoy for Covid-19, has said. “Unless we work for the good of all, we are all going to end up in a lot of…

The spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in parts of the US is encouraging more people to get vaccinated, Dr Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer, at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, has said. He told BBC World News the past week had seen a slight increase in vaccinations. “We would like…

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, says there has been some “positive” contact with the Taliban. He told BBC World News the UNHCR had been dealing with the Taliban at both provincial and ground level. “I remember the interactions 25 years ago. If I compare those interactions with those that are happening…

There is excitement in Ghana at becoming the first country to receive coronavirus vaccines through the Covax vaccine-sharing initiative, the One campaign’s executive director for Africa has said. Edwin Ikhuoria told BBC World News the delivery of the vaccine had been long awaited and was welcome news. The Covax programme was set up by World…

The president of the Australian Medical Association has spoken of his disappointment at Italy’s decision to block the export of 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the country. Dr Omar Khorshid told BBC World News the country would soon be in a position to manufacture the vaccine itself but for now was dependent on…