this is bbc news. i'm tim willcox. our top stories: an american in paris. president trump heads for france, claiming he's focused on governing and not the allegations surrounding his ties with russia. a nine—and—a—half year sentence for brazil's former president lula. but he says he's still running for election again next year. and while many parts of europe grow more hostile towards migrants, we travel to the greek island that's advertising for people to come and live there. from the corporate world to the top job in politics: a similarjourney but two very different presidents. so, on trade and climate change, can they do business? plus — facing up to artificial intelligence. critics fear it will take ourjobs, but tech giant microsoft says it will give us super powers. we hear their plans for the biggest invention since electricity. hello and welcome to bbc news.

with washington at fever pitch over the latest russia allegations, us president donald trump is in the air at the moment, arriving in the next couple of hours. he'll be celebrating france's bastille day tomorrow as president macron‘s guest of honour. despite tensions between the two, the white house says he'll be reaffirming the strong ties of friendship between the countries, and building on their economic partnership. greg dawson has this report. just four days since returning from his last european trip, donald trump underfirst lady were his last european trip, donald trump under first lady were again waving goodbye to washington, this time for paris, a welcome distraction from four days that have been dominated

by the subject that just won't go away and goldrush russia. on wednesday night, the president revealed he had no idea his son, donald junior, met with this russian lawyer in 2016, who he believed could offer incriminating information on hillary clinton. but the president reiterated he had no fault with his son's actions, saying many people would have held that meeting. questions about russia also dominated an interview with the christian broadcasting network in which donald trump said he enjoyed his much anticipated meeting with vladimir putin. we got along very well, and that's not a bad thing. people said, we shouldn't get along. who people saying that? i think we got along very well. he might be happy with his relationship with president putin, but his early relationship with emmanuel macron has got trickier. much was made of

an awkward handshake when the pair met in may. the french president also led international criticism of donald trump's decision to withdraw the us from the paris climate change agreement. despite their differences, this visit is about celebrating the shared history of the us and france. on the champs—elysee, they've been getting ready for the annual bastille day celebrations. us troops were part of the rehearsals and willjoin their french allies in the parade to mark 100 years since the us intervened in world war i. for emmanuel macron, hosting the us president is a chance to boost his country's influence on the world stage. for donald trump, the world stage. for donald trump, the chance to reinforce the transient —— transatlantic alliance and a chance to deflect attention from home from those e—mails and the problems with russia. ben bland is here with all the business news. as you've been hearing, us president donald trump

is in france at the invitation of president macron where, as the white house puts it, he'll be building on their economic partnership. let's take a look at what's at stake here. the eu's trading relationship with the us is the biggest in the world. last year they sold each other this — $686 billion worth of goods. the problem for president trump is it's tilted in europe's favour. it runs a surplus with the us: in other words it sells more goods to the us than the other way around, by this much, $147 billion. which brings us to this: the transatlantic trade and investment partnership, or ttip. talks on the massive free trade deal between the eu and us have been suspended since mr trump came to power. but he's hinted he might reconsider. the business world will be watching closely. as it will on this, the paris climate change accord. mr macron says he will be pressing mr trump to sign up again, after he pulled the us out.

another source of transatlantic tension: european pressure on the big us tech firms over tax avoidance. but on wednesday a french court ruled that google is not liable for $1.3 billion in back taxes. good timing perhaps. and there might be more common ground. mr trump has demanded european members of nato pull their weight financially. mr macron agrees — he's pledged to increase france's defence spending to nato's target of 2% of gdp, despite cuts elsewhere. so, despite the war of words, and handshakes, could presidents trump and macron, both from the corporate world, end up having a good business relationship? lots more on that in 20 minutes‘ time. we are also talking about artificial intelligence. it has been accused of threatening everything from jobs to the human race itself. it's also being called the most important technology to come along since electricity, and companies are racing to invest in research. at an event in london, microsoft has stated its ambitions to be a leader in al, and outlined a code of ethics

for developing it responsibly. we'll be hearing what they have to say in 20 minutes‘ time. that's a big development, isn't it? thank you. former brazilian president lula da silva has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison on corruption charges. it's a sentence that will deeply divide brazil, with his supporters criticising the case as politically motivated. our south america correspondent katy watson in rio reports. what a fall from grace for brazil's most popular politician — a president whose policies lifted millions out of poverty. a unionist who campaigned for change, but now could face jail for similar crimes to many of his adversaries. president lula was handed down a sentence for corruption and money—laundering, accused of receiving bribes equivalent to £1 million in the form of a refurbished beachfront property. in return, he helped an engineering company win contracts with the state oil company, petrobras.

it's the first of five charges against him. it's all part of brazil's biggest corruption investigation, operation car wash, an investigation that's spread its tentacles far and wide and implicated some of brazil's biggest politicians and businessmen. lula is no exception. this is a case that's divided brazilians. for many, lula is seen as the country's saviour. when he left office at the end of 2010, he had approval ratings of more than 80%. but for millions of others he's become one of the biggest symbols of the country's corruption problem. sergio moro is leading operation car wash and is the man who handed down the sentence, someone who also divides opinion. translation: i think the judge was very clever in writing the sentencing. it doesn't matter how important you are, the law is above all of us. you have to follow the law. if lula did something wrong, and apparently he did, he has to pay for his crimes. translation: i don't believe in the kind ofjustice judge moro practises.

he chooses people, he has his political parties. he doesn't look at the evidence. it's a sentiment shared by lula's lawyer. translation: ex—president lula is very calm, but, like anyone who is convicted without proof, who is convicted despite having proved his innocence, there is a natural indignation at the conviction, of a convicted person faced with this ridiculous situation. but lula won't be put behind bars for now. first he can appeal against the sentence and, while the legal process continues, he is free torun for elections next year, something he has hinted at in the past, and he is a front he is a front—runner in the presidential polls, but he is a figure who brazilians love or hate, and a possible return to power could divide brazilians even more. let's take a look at some of the other stories making

the news. there's been a suicide attack on jihadist rebels on italy province in northern syria with many casualties. a vehicle laden with explosives was driven into a factory. igloo province has seen majorfighting between groups looking to overthrow resident bashar al—assad. the british government is publishing the long—awaited bill that's likely to provoke a political battle over the brexit process. both the opposition labour and the liberal democrat parties have threatened to derail the repeal bill, which ministers say is designed to ensure a smooth transition when the uk leaves the european union. parliament in malta has voted to allow same—sex marriage, the 15th country in the european union to do so. in a predominantly catholic country, the vote was almost unanimous. the marriage act in malta will now replace the words ‘husband' and ‘wife', ‘mother and father‘ with ‘partner‘ and ‘parent‘. more than 10,000 migrants

are still being held in refugee camps on greek islands, no longer able to travel on into europe. and many are appealing against a decision to return them to turkey as part of the eu's migration plan to stop illegal boat crossings. a number have been on the islands of lesbos, chios and samos for more than a year, in basic and sometimes bleak conditions, while they await their fate. but on one little known island, tilos, officials have been actively trying to attract refugees with offers of accommodation and potential residency, for syrian families who are prepared to work and integrate. our europe correspondent gavin lee is there. tilos island, ten miles from the turkish coast, population, 800 — a place where there are more goats than people. a year ago, the local

mayor announced the islanders wanted to help and receive refugees looking for a new life, bucking the trend of the other islands keen to see migrants leave. translation: in 2016, when the flow from turkey had stopped, and we saw what was happening in mainland greece, people living in appalling conditions, in disgusting, concentrated spaces, we, having built a centre here, made an open invitation to the state that we are ready to host families with children. it's a small but significant show of faith for this tiny island. 50 refugees selected from around greece who are prepared to work and integrate, and it's mainly families, and in exchange, they are offered somewhere to stay, and residency here. meet the new baker of tilos. he escaped from the war in syria and originally aimed for germany with his family. when i arrived to tilos, all my life changed. my life and my wife are now

relaxed, and my children go to school, and people here, i think, are very nice, very beautiful. one hotel has taken on three refugees, two as housekeepers, including this woman from damascus. maybe i own a house in tilos, or i dream of a house in tilos, or i dream of a house in tilos and i'm asking for my husband to be here. in the tilos refugee centre, the children have been learning greek songs. they are singing, blow, wind, blow, take us to distant places. the reality for most migrants in greece is a far cry from the situation here. many are in basic camps, destined to return to turkey, to seek asylum from their as pa rt turkey, to seek asylum from their as part of the eu's integration plan,

but migrants are hoping the tilos project will work elsewhere.“ but migrants are hoping the tilos project will work elsewhere. if it works here, why wouldn't it work in other small societies? it's not a matter of tilos being an island, it could be in italy. it could work everywhere. the key to the tilos plan being a success is how the younger generation of refugees settle here, and whether they continue to feel welcome and parts of the community over the years to come. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: our latest stop along the new silk road is kazakhstan. with chinese companies pouring in their own workers, what's in it for the locals? the flamboyant italian fashion designer gianni versace has been shot dead in florida. the multimillionaire was gunned down in his home in the exclusive south beach district of miami. emergency services in central europe

have stepped up efforts to contain the worst floods this century. nearly 100 people have been killed. broadway is traditionally called the great white way by americans but tonight it is completely blacked out. it's a timely reminder of all americans about the problems the energy crisis has brought them. 200 years ago today a huge parisian crowd stormed the bastille prison, the first act of the revolution which was to topple the french monarchy. today hundreds of thousands thronged the champs—elysees for the traditional military parade. finally, fairy penguins have been staggering ashore and collapsing after gorging themselves on a huge shoal of their favourite food, pilchards. some had eaten so much they could barely stand. this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: donald trump heads to paris saying he'll reaffirm the strong ties of friendship between the us and france. brazil's former president lula has been sentenced to nine—and—a—half years in jail for corruption. but he's said he'll run for president again next year. the case of baby charlie gard returns to the high court today, with his parents hoping evidence that an experimental american treatment could improve their son's condition. the story's being followed closely in the us — not least because president trump offered to help the family. aleem maqbool reports from baltimore, where he visited a child receiving a similar experimental treatment to that being offered to charlie gard. he likes to three things. this boy is now six years old. he has a similar syndrome to charlie gard. it effectively shuts down his muscles and organs. when he was one and a

half years old, his parents were told to take their child home to die with dignity. they fought to get approvalfor with dignity. they fought to get approval for experimental treatment for their son. i didn't care if he was the first human to try this medication, because they told us he was going to die. we had already called a priest to give him the last rites because he hadn't opened his eyesin rites because he hadn't opened his eyes in a few days. so, luckily, we we re eyes in a few days. so, luckily, we were able to get the approval pretty fast. and then we were able to get their medication. little by little, he started to get stronger. doctors and courts in the uk say baby charlie gard has suffered too much irreversible brain damage to survive, and any further treatment could cause him significant harm. this child is extraordinary for so many reasons. at the forefront of a

campaign to keep him on my support is an anti—abortion pastor from washington, dc. the group that gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures to save him is also american. true us congressmen are trying to pass legislation, giving charlie gard american citizenship so he can get treatment in the us that could improve his condition. he can get treatment in the us that could improve his conditionlj realise could improve his condition.” realise these are hard issues, but we have to stick to the lions and make sure that parents are the default decision—makers. if we don't, then all the little charlie gard's in the world are in trouble. president trump weighed in as well. the charlie gard story has become political, with some of the right saying it shows why having a nationalised health system is bad. those on the other side of the debate said donald trump is being hypocritical. on one hand, showing compassion to a british family while

introducing healthcare legislation that could seriously endanger american children. this is a fundamental and radical restructure ofa fundamental and radical restructure of a programme that kids rely on. it will shred the safety net that children have relied on for many yea rs. children have relied on for many years. this is probably the most important issue for children in decades. this american father's only concern was fighting to keep his son alive. he understands better than anyone what charlie gard's parents are going through. being told he should let his child die, when there was the promise, however implausible, that he could be saved. plenty more on that story on the website. this week, we've been reporting on china's ambitious plan to recreate the famous silk road — the ancient trading route between east and west. it's thought it'll cost almost a trillion pounds and involves a new rail link from china to the uk, being paid for by the chinese.

it passes through countries like the former soviet republic of kazakhstan — amid growing concerns about china's influence. our china editor carrie gracie started out in eastern china she's now reached kazakhstan. bells chime for two centuries, central asia was russia's backyard. kazakhstan got its independence when the soviet union collapsed. but russian remained the language of business — until now. this is china's new silk road in action. the economy slowing back home, state construction companies put to work abroad. master builder xu xiwen delivering a cutting—edge urban railway. translation: china's advanced technology is bringing convenience and more comfort and safety to travellers in kazakhstan. if this project goes well, it will serve as a model for others. china says its plans

are for the benefit of all. but mostjobs here will go to chinese workers, and the loan was tied to a chinese design. it's not just building across central asia, china's buying into banks and oil fields too. some locals say they see no benefit. in one village, a kindergarten has become a hostel for chinese workers. ardak kubasheva complains of pollution, and jobs going to outsiders. translation: the chinese have done nothing. there's a huge oil industry here,

but nojobs orfacilities for young people. we want to live decently so that we won't be ashamed of our village. government intimidation makes many kazakhs cautious on camera. but privately, several accused chinese companies of using bribes to cut corners. china says its presence abroad is a win—win, a win for china and a win for the people in its path. but that's not the experience here. they say their oil wealth is going elsewhere and that win—win means china wins once, and then china wins again. back at almaty‘s zenkov cathedral, dosym satpaev says the nations of central asia are like billiard balls in a game between the big players, russia and china. china, i believe will be like some threat for our independence. why? because for china, kazakhstan is not an equal partner. for china, kazakhstan only is like one of the players in the big china geopolitical game.

that game stretches far beyond these mountains. but already, it's changing lives, shaping the destiny of young nations in the shadow of the chinese giant. carrie gracie, bbc news, kazakhstan. now, the post—retirement plan for many professional footballers often involves going back into the game, whether it's coaching or media work. but for one former african international and premier league star, the dream was to make the world's most famous brandy — cognac. piers edwards travelled to his vineyard in south—western france to meet him. the heart of france's famous cognac region, home to prise finds and also

a football are creating a second career. i have played for the international ivory coast and this is my pinioned. meant as a precious commodity, but when the only son of tebily‘s neighbour died, the remaining family members had to decide who to sell the business to. translation: all the cognac makers are the same. i liked football and because the year was not unpleasant, and because tebily helped me in some tough times, i said, why not? why not take over the main property? why not take over the main property? why not a football are? many people tried to stop me but i never changed my mind —— cognac. tried to stop me but i never changed my mind -- cognac. tebily says he was treated as if he were an alien at first, but his dedication is winning over the sceptics.” at first, but his dedication is winning over the sceptics. i didn't

do this work because i want to impress people, no, because i like it. it doesn't matter what the people all the neighbours are thinking. this is where we make the fermentation of the grape. now you can fermentation of the grape. now you ca n taste fermentation of the grape. now you can taste it. thank you. merci. strong! born in ivory coast, tebily was a toddler when his parents moved to france, settling near the merci region. having worked in the vineyards as a teenager, he returned when his foot or career ended nearly a decade ago. —— cognac.” when his foot or career ended nearly a decade ago. -- cognac. i said to myself, maybe if i get an injury, after the football, i would do this work. your first contract, you

purchased two hectares? tebily now sells most of his cognac locally. the rest goes to africa, where he hopes to sell all of his product in future. the 41—year—old is looking for liftoff on the terraces once again. the shape of the antarctic peninsula has changed for ever. an iceberg has broken away from the ice shelf. it did not come as a surprise to scientists, they have been monitoring it for decades. the iceberg is one of the biggest ever recorded. 6000 square kilometres, almost four times the size of london. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter. more news as always on the website. hello there, good morning.

yesterday was a lovely day across large swathes of the united kingdom. after some early rain in the south—east, that soon cleared away, and the sun came out for the afternoon. and it was a fine and sunny day in buttermere in cumbria, thanks to the weather watchers for sending in the pictures. clear skies overnight, and that will take us on into the morning. with those clear skies it will be chilly in some rural spots. major towns and cities starting in double figures for most, up to 111—15 at the very best. in more rural parts, rural scotland, three degrees, england and wales down to about four or five, so a bit on the chilly side for some. high—pressure is in charge of the weather for the most part through the day today. you will notice this weather front in the north and west, more isobars here, so a bit more of a breeze. the weather front will see cloud and will bring rain to northern ireland, and into western scotland as well. ahead of that, a lot of fine and dry weather, but not completely dry, because there will be one or two showers around.

but i think east anglia and the south—east, increasing cloud in the afternoon, but it is staying dry. temperatures in the low 20s quite widely. there will be a line of showers from the south—west of england into south wales, drifting through the midlands, to the north—east of england. we saw that, dry and bright. a shower or two into aberdeenshire. some rain into western scotland and northern ireland. that continues, looking like a pretty decent day. increasing cloud in the afternoon, staying dry. win flight. temperatures into the low 20s. quite co mforta ble temperatures into the low 20s. quite comfortable temperature wise. the evening, that weather front making steady progress south end is. mostly overnight rain, not much left by two on friday. if there is some, soon clearing. a decent day, dry and bright. temperatures in the upper teens and low 20s. there is a weather front approaching once again. that will bring some way the north—west of the uk, and maybe by the end of the night, some rain cropping up in the south—east of england. any rain in the south is

not lasting too long on saturday, scattered showers out towards the north and west. frequent showers in the north—west. into wimbledon for the north—west. into wimbledon for the weekend, ladies finals day on saturday looks pretty good. for the men's finals could probably a bit more cloud and a bit more human as well. the weekend, a fair bit of cloud. muddy conditions as well. showers in the north and west, but warm in the south. this is bbc world news. the headlines. president trump is heading to france, where he'll take part in bastille day celebrations on friday. the visit is controversial but one opinion poll suggested 60% of french people approved the decision to invite him. lawyers for the former brazilian president, lula, say they'll appeal his conviction and nine—and—a—half year prison sentence for corruption. until the legal process ends, he is free to stand in next year's presidential election. the british government will take the first significant step in replacing european union laws later on thursday.

the bill is intended to ensure a smooth transition when britain leaves the bloc but opposition parties will oppose it. parliament in malta has voted to allow same—sex marriage, becoming the 15th country in the european union to do so.