welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... a clear and present danger to humanity — president biden promises to make the largest ever us investment to combat climate change. but stops short of declaring an emergency. i will do everything in my power to clean our air and water, protect our people's health, to win the clean energy future. across europe, wildfires rage, with countries sweltering in severe heat. this is what it takes to stop the fires. a court or 300 metres wide

cleared of all trees are fuel for the flames. the former chancellor, rishi sunak, and the foreign secretary, liz truss, will go head—to—head in the race to become the next british prime minister. sri lanka's new president calls for unity, but warns he would deal firmly with efforts to topple his government. live from our studio in singapore... this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. it's six in the morning here in singapore and six in the evening in somerset, massachusetts, where us presidentjoe biden has described climate change as an �*existential threat�* to the united states and the world, while unveiling new executive steps he will make to address it. $2.3 billion will be spent on a range of new measures —

among them, expanding flood control, shoring up utilities and helping low—income families pay for heating and cooling costs. there's also support for the domestic offshore wind industry. 700,000 acres have been identified in the gulf of mexico for that purpose. president biden had been under pressure to declare a �*climate emergency�*, which would release funds to ramp up production of a wide range of renewable energy products and systems. the president made the announcement speaking from a former coal—fired plant, which is being converted to generate wind power — a symbolic backdrop for the sweeping changes he�*s hoping to implement. here�*s what he said. as president, i have a responsibility to act with urgency and resolve when our nation faces clear and present danger. and that�*s what climate change is about. it is literally, not figuratively, a clear and present danger. the health of our citizens and our

communities is literally at stake. the un�*s leading international climate scientist called the latest climate report nothing less than "code red for humanity". that�*s why today, i�*m making the largest investment ever, $2.3 billion to help communities across the country build infrastructure that�*s designed to withstand the full range of disasters we�*ve been seeing up to today — extreme heat, drought, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes. right now, there are millions of people suffering from extreme heat at home. for more on this, let�*s go live to california. professor leah stokes is a political scientist from the university of california, santa barbara. she specialises in climate and energy policies. it�*s great to get you on the programme. i wasjust reading through some of the things you have been writing about, and i know you said in the past president

biden has a real opportunity here to make significant progress on climate. do you think what he�*s done today goes far enough? weill. climate. do you think what he's done today goes far enough?— today goes far enough? well, the broader context _ today goes far enough? well, the broader context is _ today goes far enough? well, the broader context is that _ today goes far enough? well, the broader context is that congress | broader context is that congress over the last 18 months has been working around the clock to try to pass a landmark suite of climate investments. we are talking somewhere between 350— $550 billion. that�*s a lot of money and it would bring jobs to the united states. senatorjoe manchin last week walked away from the negotiating table despite the fact that there was a lot in the package that would have helped the people of west virginia transition towards clean energy jobs. president dot biden has tried to move forward today without that. there�*s so much politics involved, particularly as we head to those midterm elections. i want to focus

on this announcement from president biden. is this new money we�*re getting and does it go far enough towards achieving the us�*s ambitions? towards achieving the us's ambitions?— towards achieving the us's ambitions? you can't really understand _ ambitions? you can't really understand what _ ambitions? you can't really understand what president| ambitions? you can't really - understand what president biden is doing today outside of the broader context of what is happening in congress. he said that he was still waiting for congress to take is really important actions because when we compare what president biden announced today to what was being discussed in congress, it�*sjust several orders of magnitude less. what president biden is trying to say is that congress must act, and if it does not in the coming weeks, he plans to use the full force of his executive authority to act on climate change. but his executive authority to act on climate change.— climate change. but he didn't declare a _ climate change. but he didn't declare a climate _ climate change. but he didn't - declare a climate emergency, did he? i understand democratic senators urged him to do this. it would have given him more powers to lower carbon emissions, why not? {131

carbon emissions, why not? of climate emergency does not give the president a lot more power. it gives him limited power to do a few more things. it�*s actually a very important symbolic move where it says that we are in a cerebral situation here and we need to act. the more important things we need to see if i didn�*t do substantively are walking new fossil fuel development by not issuing permits —— to see biden do. and enforce existing regulations on dirty facilities. that�*s the really tough stuff we�*re expecting the president to do. professor stokes, i know particularly at this point in the political cycle in the united states, everything is in some ways about the midterms. i�*m just intrigued to know your views on this. what is the move music care about the issues of climate change?

well, a big issue right now is inflation. the fact is that investing in clean energy and climate is a deflationary, a counter inflationary move. what it does is make it cheaper to drive cars to work. it makes it easierfor them make it cheaper to drive cars to work. it makes it easier for them to heat and cool their homes. so, this package would actually be probably very good for the democrats in the midterms because they would make the energy system much more affordable to for everyday americans.— to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes. — to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes, right _ to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes, right to _ to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes, right to get _ to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes, right to get you - to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes, right to get you on - to for everyday americans. professor leah stokes, right to get you on the | leah stokes, right to get you on the programme. leah stokes, right to get you on the programme-— lots more on the website for you on the issue of climate change overall, including this piece, where we look back at how the world has warmed since 1880 — a stark visual depiction of the globe�*s warming temperatures. that�*s on bbc.com/news, or simply download the bbc news app —

that is, of course, if you haven�*t done so already. turning to the uk now, london�*s fire service says that this was the moment the result was read out. therefore, rishi sunak and liz truss will be the candidates going forward to a final ballot of conservative party members. the ballot will close on the 2nd of september and i will announce

the results at 12:30pm on monday the 5th of september. rishi sunak compared... list trusts had 27 votes. that was enough to push any mordant out of the running. the candidates have wasted no time in putting out their messages as they start their campaign to win over their party�*s rank and file. let�*s hearfrom both of them now. who is the best person to defeat the labour party at the next election, and i believe i�*m the only candidate who can do that. my values are also those of our members, and i got the experience of the vision translate those values. i�*m

experience of the vision translate those values.— experience of the vision translate those values. i'm delighted by the results. i want _ those values. i'm delighted by the results. i want to _ those values. i'm delighted by the results. i want to thank _ those values. i'm delighted by the results. i want to thank all - those values. i'm delighted by the results. i want to thank all the - results. i want to thank all the colleagues who supported me and all the other_ colleagues who supported me and all the other candidates in the race. i think_ the other candidates in the race. i think it's — the other candidates in the race. i think it's really important that we have _ think it's really important that we have this — think it's really important that we have this debate in the conservative party. _ have this debate in the conservative party. and _ have this debate in the conservative party, and i'm the person who can go intom _ party, and i'm the person who can go intom and _ party, and i'm the person who can go intom and i— party, and i'm the person who can go into... and i can get things done and i_ into... and i can get things done and i think— into... and i can get things done and i think that's what qualities are voting — and i think that's what qualities are voting for and that's what i now want _ are voting for and that's what i now want to— are voting for and that's what i now want to take conservative members of. the contest to become the uk�*s next prime minister is getting plenty of attention domestically — but there�*s also domestically, but there�*s also interest from abroad. and it�*s especially true in india, with rishi sunak still in the running to replace borisjohnson. if he succeeds, he�*ll become the country�*s first pm with indian heritage.

well, for more on this, let�*s bring in prashun dutt. he�*s currently writing a book which looks at the factors driving the success of south asian i want to start by asking you what the reaction in india has been to the possibility that rishi sunak could become the next prime minister in the uk the other thank you for inviting me.- thank you for inviting me. there is widesnread _ thank you for inviting me. there is widesnread a _ thank you for inviting me. there is widespread a awareness. - thank you for inviting me. there is widespread a awareness. most - thank you for inviting me. there is i widespread a awareness. most indian media channels have been regularly providing coverage, including the updates on the process of voting, including the latest update where liz truss and receipt sunak —— rishi sunak will have their shoot—out. remember another thing, sunak will have their shoot—out. rememberanotherthing, overthe remember another thing, over the last 15—20 years, rememberanotherthing, overthe last 15—20 years, many expected indians have gone on to take ceo and other critical senior roles in several multinational organisations,

global bodies like imf and other governments, etc. this is the ultimate ceo role if rishi sunak wins. he will be an expected in megan —— indian immigrant who will become the ceo of c00. which will automatically postulate huge challenges as well as opportunities. crosstalk i�*m interested in how you frame that. saying this is the sort of ultimate ceo role. it�*s certainly true today, but there�*s been some commentary in the indian press that if mr sunakwins, commentary in the indian press that if mr sunak wins, there would be more focused on india or trade in india. regulation at this point, but

any sense that that�*s true? rishi any sense that that's true? rishi sunak will have _ any sense that that's true? rishi sunak will have the _ any sense that that's true? rishi sunak will have the first -- - any sense that that's true? rishi sunak will have the first -- to i sunak will have the first —— to first call and consolidate his position in the global arena. after the initial pleasantries, he will concentrate completely in the proverbial... focus on british priorities, tackling the inflation, managing linkage with eu, generating more employment and trade deals. trance applause -- crosstalk —— crosstalk . we -- crosstalk . we sadly run out of time. what�*s more to come in fact on the show. including a look at how climate

change is contributing to a series of wildfires. let�*s first take a look at some other stories in the headlines. donald trump has led the mourners at the funeral for his first wife, ivana. the former president was accompanied by relatives as he attended the funeral service at st vincent ferrer church in new york. ivana, who was donald trump�*s first wife, had three children with him during their fifteen year marriage. she died at the age of 73 last week, reportedly suffering fatal injuries after falling on the stairs at her apartment. italy is facing political uncertainty, with the prime minister mario draghi expected to offer his resignation on thursday. it comes after three of the parties in his coalition government refused to back him in a parliamentary vote of confidence. mr draghi had called on them to support him, following a wave of support in his leadership from mayors, industry and unions. the russian foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has said moscow�*s military focus

in ukraine has shifted. in an interview with russian state media, mr lavrov said that russia is broadening its operation to include more thanjust the east of the country. the us had earlier accused russia of preparing to annex parts of ukraine. ukraine�*s first lady 0lena zelenska has appealed to us lawmakers to provide more help to her country as it struggles against a five—month—long russian invasion, saying weapons could help assure victory. she spoke to congress in person four months after her husband made a virtual speech there. the us has already approved nearly $40 billion in aid to ukraine by the end of september, including eight more himars advanced rocket systems. i appeal to all of you on behalf of of those who were killed, on behalf of those who were killed, on behalf of those who were killed, on behalf of those people who lost their arms and legs, on behalf of those who are still alive and well and those who wait for their families to come back

from the front. i�*m asking for something now. iwould never wanted to ask. i am asking for weapons, weapons that would not be used to wage a war on somebody else�*s land, but to protect one�*s home and the right to wake up alive in that home. you want to get in touch with me, i�*m on twitter. you can find me @bbckarishma — i�*m looking forward to hearing from you. wildfires have been sweeping across europe after a record—breaking heat wave. coming down the ladder now. it�*s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

a catastrophic engine fire has been blamed tonight for the first crash in the 30—year history of concorde, the world's only supersonic airliner. it was one of the most vivid symbols of the l violence and hatred that tore apart the state - of yugoslavia, but now, a decade later, it's been painstakingly- rebuilt and opens again today. there�*s been a 50% decrease in sperm quantity and an increase in malfunctioning sperm unable to swim properly. thousands of households across the country are suspiciously quiet this lunchtime as children bury their noses in the final instalment of harry potter. this is newsday on the bbc. i�*m karishma vaswani in singapore.

0ur headlines... president biden promises to make the largest ever us investment to combat climate change, but doesn�*t declare a climate emergency. the final two will go head—to—head to become the next uk prime minister. turning to the uk now, london�*s fire service says that tuesday was its busiest day since world war two, dealing with multiple blazes in record—breaking temperatures. the city was one of 15 areas around the uk to declare a major incident. one of the most serious fires was in wennington in east london, where houses were destroyed. it came as temperatures hit a record 40.3 degrees celsius. elsewhere in europe, french president emmanuel macron has visited the southwest of the country, where wildfires forced more than 30,000 people

from their homes. fires are continuing to blaze in spain. the authorities there said 500 people had died from heat—related conditions. italy and greece are also dealing with wildfires amid drought conditions. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson sent this report. fire chiefs are too cautious to talk about a turning point, but the fire here has stabilised enough for president macron to visit teste—de—buch today to congratulate the cruise. translation: we know the weaknesses in the management of this forest. - we have to make it grow again, but with different rules and precautions. you can see how unstable the situation is even from the forest road. the soil still smouldering, the clearance cruise still at work. the clearance crews still at work. this is what it takes to stop the fires — a corridor 300 metres wide, cleared of all trees, all fuel for the flames.

but firefighters say the fires could still leap across this corridor if the wind�*s in the wrong direction. and for those now waiting out the fire in shelters, fears will linger long after the flames are out. i think it's a global problem for everybody and in the future, yes, it could be the case for other regions or other countries like in the uk. what we are living now, they can live it tomorrow or in the future years. what fires like this can do is becoming hard to ignore. in greece last night, firefighters watched as gale force winds swept flames through districts around athens. residents said the fire was moving faster than a car. is this, many ask, the future of summer in europe when pressure on firefighters has eased again

will be pressure on politicians keep growing? lucy williamson, bbc news, teste—de—buch. let�*s just give you an idea of how dangerous these wildfires which have broke out across europe can be. this footage was filmed by spanish firefighters in zaragoza, in the northeast of spain. the fire first broke out on monday, but it�*s been spreading since then, and four villages have been evacuated. more than 200 firefighters are trying to tackle the flames. so far, high winds are hampering the process. let�*s move away from the heatwave now and take you to sri lanka, where lawmakers have voted for prime minister ranil wickremesinghe to become the country�*s new president, despite his unpopularity with the public. he faces the task of leading the country out of its economic collapse and restoring order after months of mass protests. secunder kermani

reports from colombo. sri lanka�*s new president is not a popular man. there was heavy security outside parliament as politicians assembled to select a new leader. ranil wickremesinghe is a veteran political figure. now he�*ll be leading a country struggling with its worst ever economic crisis. earlier this month, his offices were temporarily taken over by angry protesters who forced the previous president to flee. demonstrations have continued, but now, they�*re far smaller. protesters have said they would never accept ranil as president. there is clearly still a lot of anger, but so far, no sign of the kind of mass protests we�*ve seen in recent weeks. 0bviously, people are burnt out

after four months of continuous protests, and election should happen as soon as possible once they are given to the people. the reliefs are given to the people. the new president faces major challenges. petrol queues stretch for miles. sri lanka is basically bankrupt, unable to afford enough fuel whilst food prices are soaring. translation: my children ask for milk in the morning, - but i can't afford it. 0ur electricity has been cut off because we can't pay the bill. with cooking gas too hard to find or too expensive, it�*s become common to see bundles of firewood for sale. this dressmaker now has to cook for her two grandchildren on a makeshift stove outside. translation: i'm not a person who has spent her life -

like this, but now i have to. for the sake of these children, i have to find a way. _ protesters see the new president as too close to the old guard. they want change, but for now seem resigned to accept him. the anger that saw his home burnt down earlier this month could rekindle at any time. secunder kermani, bbc news, colombo. so much uncertainty there. before we go, let�*s just take a moment to focus on the man who will be leaving 10 downing street in september. this was borisjohnson, taking his last prime minister�*s questions, due to the summer break. and as he bid the commons goodbye, in his characteristically quirky way, he had an unusual sign off — well, for some at least — take a listen.

i've helped to get this country through pandemic and helped save another country from barbarism, and frankly, that's enough to be going on with. mission largely accomplished. for now, i want to thank you, mr speaker, and all the wonderful staff of the house of commons. i thank all my friends and colleagues and i thank my right honourable friend opposite, mr speaker. i want to thank everybody here, and hasta la vista, baby. thank you. hear, hear! you�*ve been watching newsday. stay with us. just time to tell you about a special programme on bbc news tomorrow, starting at 23.55 gmt on thursday the 21st ofjuly, we�*ll have live coverage of the us congressional inquiry into the january the 6th invasion of the capitol building. do try to join us for that, live from washington.

it will be a fantastic programme to watch indeed. thanks so much for watching newsday. hello. after that exceptional heat to start the week, for many of you, it was significantly cooler on wednesday compared with tuesday. tuesday, of course, we saw temperatures approach around a0 celsius in a number of spots. for some, it was actually 10—17 degrees cooler, but to put it into a bit of perspective, those temperatures still well above where we should be for a july afternoon. the exceptional heat had pushed a bit further eastwards, record—breaking heat in denmark. all that heat over the next couple of days pushes its way southwards and eastwards, and then into the weekend, we start to see it build once more in across parts of the uk. not, though, at the levels we�*ve seen this week. as for thursday, as we start the day, it is going to be largely dry day for many. there will be some rain around, and it�*s a bit cooler

still compared with what we�*ve experienced on wednesday. now, the drier weather comes courtesy of an area of high pressure trying to push in from the west. we�*ve still got the legacy of a front sitting across eastern areas. we saw a lot of humid air, temperatures still sitting in the mid if not high teens for one or two first thing thursday morning. fresher conditions in the west, but this is where we will start with the best of the sunshine. northern ireland, wales, southwest england having a pretty decent day, just one or two showers around. sunny spells across scotland, a few showers for the mainland, but for the bulk of england, away from the southwest, lots of cloud, some outbreaks of rain and drizzle here and there, many will be dry. around the coast, it may be quite sunny. sunny too towards the channel islands, but a bit of a breeze blowing down through the likes of east anglia, and here, temperatures dropping back to normal. still a little bit above normal across the south, 2a—25 celsius. across the south, 2a—25 celsius. now, into thursday evening and through into friday, we will start to see that cloud sit in place, but then a few more we�*ll start to see that cloud sit in place, but then a few more showers push their way northwards, the winds shifting direction slightly.

it does mean temperatures still won�*t drop a huge amount, a cooler day — a cooler night — i should say, across eastern parts of the country, but still with temperatures in the mid—teens across the south. so, for friday, showers at a greater chance of seeing, particularly heavy ones across parts of wales, the midlands, maybe rumbling up into northern england, could see some flashes of lightning, rumbles of thunder as well. some through the english channel, which could get close to the south coast and affect the channel islands for a time. only a few showers for scotland and northern ireland. all of us will see temperatures closer to thejuly norm, for one or two, a little bit below. as i said, heat builds back in this weekend, there will be rain at times in the north and west, still very little rain towards the south and east, and temperatures in the high 20s by sunday.

this is bbc news. the headlines... us presidentjoe biden unveiled a series of executive measures to combat climate change. mr biden said his administration would make the largest ever investment — 2.3 billion dollars into combating cimate change. the contest to become britain�*s next prime minister has been narrowed to two candidates — the former chancellor, rishi sunak, and the foreign secretary, liz truss. the final choice now goes to party members. spain and france say, they�*ll invest more money in fighting wildfires after the devastation caused by the current heatwave in western europe. these the latest pictures from zaragoza province — and the emergency response. the new sri lankan president has

called for unity in the face of the ecpnomic meltdown in the country.