in breaking news, a serious knife attack in south—west france. several nursery children stabbed, with reports of summer in a critical condition. the attacker has been taken into custody. the french parliament has held a minute's silence for the victims, as the country's prime minister is on her way to the scene. president zelensky visits a city badly affected by flooding, unleashed when a crucial dam was destroyed in southern ukraine. hello. you are watching bbc news. nursery school children have been attacked by a man with a knife in the eastern french town of annecy. two are thought to be in a critical condition. it appears they were playing in a park by the sight of a lake when they were attacked. it

happened in the town of annecy in the french alps. the interior minister says the suspect has been arrested. the french parliament held arrested. the french parliament held a minute's silence while the country's prime minister elisabeth borne is on her way to the scene. france's president has tweeted. emmanuel macron wrote, "an attack of absolute cowardice this morning in a town in annecy. children and an aduu town in annecy. children and an adult are between life and death. " we will cross live to france with more details, but let's just run you through what we do know. this attack happened at around 9:45am local time. 7:1i5am gmt. it happened in a park near a lake in annecy. it is being reported that these children, some as young as three, with their

childminders for their morning outing when this man wielding a knife suddenly appeared and started to stop them. some of those children were in their pushchairs. it being reported by local media and local sources that the attacker ran from the scene and attacked an elderly man who was working nearby the attack when it took place in the morning. i disappoint, we are being told police then intervened and the attacker was shot in the legs and overpowered. have heard that the interior minister, gerald darmanin, praised the police for their rapid intervention. let's get more from hugh schofield, who spoke to us a little earlier on.— little earlier on. there are several children who _ little earlier on. there are several children who are _ little earlier on. there are several children who are injured _ little earlier on. there are several children who are injured and - little earlier on. there are several children who are injured and it - children who are injured and it seems at least two of them critically injured, so in the kind of life—threatening way in hospital. these are very young children. that of course makes it all the more horrific. it seems some are toddlers. there are reports some were attacked in their pushchairs.

it happened at a park on lake annecy in annecy, a little south of geneva, in annecy, a little south of geneva, in eastern france. it happened this morning. one can imagine the scene, a sunny day out there. the children from a local school would have been taken out, presumably to play in the park. at around 9:45am, this man in his mid—40s wielding a knife started attacking them. and the detail of the attack, i don't really know other than the result of it was these injured children and may be a couple of adults as well. the man tried to escape but was stopped. i believe there was a shot fired by the police at his legs. he was overpowered and is in custody. the latest we understand is that he is a syrian man in his mid—40s and an asylum seeker. that is pretty much it at the moment. as you can imagine, the country is reeling with this news. there have been terrible

attacks in the past, but for an attacks in the past, but for an attack to happen on children of such attack to happen on children of such a young age is of course something unprecedented and truly takes it to a new dimension. that unprecedented and truly takes it to a new dimension.— a new dimension. that was hugh schofield. with more on this, let's cross to our correspondent in the newsroom naomi choy smith. there are more injuries. from this attack_ there are more injuries. from this attack that— there are more injuries. from this attack that really has shocked what is generally, i have been speaking to people — is generally, i have been speaking to people in annecy, considered to be a safe _ to people in annecy, considered to be a safe town of about 150,000 people — be a safe town of about 150,000 pepple it — be a safe town of about 150,000 people. it is an alpine town and it is generally quite tranquil. other stabbing — is generally quite tranquil. other stabbing attacks are not rare in france, — stabbing attacks are not rare in france, they are rarer according to community— france, they are rarer according to community members i was speaking to on the _ community members i was speaking to on the ground in towns like this. earlier_ on the ground in towns like this. earlier this — on the ground in towns like this. earlier this year, there was an attack— earlier this year, there was an attack where a man wielding a knife did in— attack where a man wielding a knife did in fact _ attack where a man wielding a knife

did in fact try to stop several people — did in fact try to stop several people and succeeded winning about six people. these are attacks that happen— six people. these are attacks that happen in— six people. these are attacks that happen in very large cities, generally in france have been on a higher— generally in france have been on a higher state of alert, but in a community like annecy this is hitting — community like annecy this is hitting hard. these are nursery age children. _ hitting hard. these are nursery age children, their young children that we here _ children, their young children that we here were playing in a lakeside park~ _ we here were playing in a lakeside park~ when — we here were playing in a lakeside park. when this man, thought to be a syrian _ park. when this man, thought to be a syrian national or a syrian refugee, or seeking — syrian national or a syrian refugee, or seeking refugee status according to police _ or seeking refugee status according to police sources, approach the children— to police sources, approach the children and began attacking them and stabbing them. and the country's leader. _ and stabbing them. and the country's leader, emmanuel macron, has stated this is— leader, emmanuel macron, has stated this is an— leader, emmanuel macron, has stated this is an attack of horrible cowardice and says that the victims are in_ cowardice and says that the victims are in a _ cowardice and says that the victims are in a state between life and death — are in a state between life and death at — are in a state between life and death at the moment. so definitely a shocking _ death at the moment. so definitely a shocking incident for that part of france _ shocking incident for that part of france and all of france. and shocking incident for that part of france and all of france.- shocking incident for that part of france and all of france. and we are heafina france and all of france. and we are hearing that — france and all of france. and we are hearing that the _ france and all of france. and we are hearing that the police _ france and all of france. and we are hearing that the police soon - hearing that the police soon intervened. the interior minister, gerald darmanin, praise them for

their swift intervention. it seems as though this incident started from nowhere but was resolved very quickly. but unfortunately, as we are hearing, has had grave consequences for both these young children and the elderly man involved. . �* , children and the elderly man involved-— children and the elderly man involved. ., �* , . ., ., involved. that's right. we do hear that police — involved. that's right. we do hear that police did _ involved. that's right. we do hear that police did respond _ involved. that's right. we do hear that police did respond very - involved. that's right. we do hear. that police did respond very quickly to the _ that police did respond very quickly to the attack. and police intervened and shot _ to the attack. and police intervened and shot the attacker in the legs. and overpowered him. so a very swift response _ and overpowered him. so a very swift response from first responders. but of course, _ response from first responders. but of course, for very young children and for— of course, for very young children and for this— of course, for very young children and for this elderly man, these injuries— and for this elderly man, these injuries are thought to be very severe — injuries are thought to be very severe. and we will wait to hear how their condition is as this situation unfolds — their condition is as this situation unfolds. , ., , ., unfolds. joining us from the newsroom. _ unfolds. joining us from the newsroom, thank _ unfolds. joining us from the newsroom, thank you. - unfolds. joining us from the newsroom, thank you. to . unfolds. joining us from the l newsroom, thank you. to let unfolds. joining us from the - newsroom, thank you. to let viewers know, we are expecting a press conference from the authorities in france in the coming 20 minutes or so. we will bring those details to you on bbc news as we get them. i want to cross now to our paris

correspondent, hugh schofield. following developments there, following the french press. what are the reports you are getting? the latest report _ the reports you are getting? the latest report is _ the reports you are getting? tie: latest report is not an the reports you are getting? tue: latest report is not an encouraging one. two of the children are in a life threatening condition, but for children as well as the elderly man. so that is a worsening situation as far as the toll is concerned. we hear the detail, more coming out about what happened. that it was by this park, a little playground in the park next to the lake annecy, and out of the blue this man who was apparently dressed in green with a kind of bandanna on his head, the fences surrounding this area and started attacking the children. some of whom were in their pushchairs, some of whom may well have been less than three years old if they were in pushchairs, who were on a morning

outing. some witnesses say he was shouting something incoherent, others say he wasn't saying anything. it is not clear. having attacked the children, for probably just a few seconds are a couple of minutes, started to run away as if to escape. and then came across this elderly couple walking in the park nearby and, with police approaching, he attacked them, or at least the man. the man was stabbed and is in a very dangerous sort of critical condition in hospital as well. at that point, the police shot him in the legs. he is in custody, we don't know what his condition is. and we can't even be sure that he has been questioned by police because presumably the first thing will be to treat him. t presumably the first thing will be to treat him-— to treat him. i 'ust want to show our to treat him. i 'ust want to show viewers — to treat him. ijust want to show our viewers here _ to treat him. ijust want to show our viewers here on _ to treat him. ijust want to show our viewers here on bbc- to treat him. ijust want to show our viewers here on bbc news l to treat him. ijust want to show our viewers here on bbc news aj to treat him. i just want to show- our viewers here on bbc news a map to show where exactly this incident happened. this is annecy, like you say, about 500 kilometres south—east of the french capital paris, close

to the swiss — italian borders, cities like geneva close by. this is a very small alpine town, it must have shocked both the residents there but also we are seeing reaction from people like emmanuel macron and the prime minister. yes. macron and the prime minister. yes, it is a small — macron and the prime minister. yes, it is a small town. _ macron and the prime minister. yes, it is a small town. a _ macron and the prime minister. yes it is a small town. a tourist town. it is not far from it is a small town. a tourist town. it is not farfrom big cities like geneva. there is a big population. it is not immune to the changes, the demographic changes that france is going through. so, yes, normally a very peaceful place, but that means nothing. the reaction of utter shock. what you are hearing from seasoned journalists is a kind of inability to put in words what this means. children, two—year—olds, three—year—olds, in pushchairs,

being attacked by a man with a knife. yes, we have seen it in the past and we condemn them every time because they're so appalling, ulcerative innocent people, but innocent adults. forthis ulcerative innocent people, but innocent adults. for this to have been perpetrated against the sort of symbols of innocence, young children in pushchairs, really does carry with it a horror which none of us have experienced here before. so the country is really in a state of shock about this. emmanuel macron, we say in a state of shock often, but this is a shocking event and the president is absolutely correct to say that the country is in a state of shock right now. so, yes, all eyes are now on the children and prayers that they come out of this alive. but i have to say, such young children being made victims of a knife attack, the prognosis cannot be particularly positive. find

knife attack, the prognosis cannot be particularly positive.— be particularly positive. and it is earl da s be particularly positive. and it is early days of _ be particularly positive. and it is early days of this _ be particularly positive. and it is early days of this incident. - be particularly positive. and it is early days of this incident. it - be particularly positive. and it isj early days of this incident. it has only been a few hours or so. no suggestion yet as to any reason or motive? ., ., , .., motive? no, we need to be careful but we need _ motive? no, we need to be careful but we need to _ motive? no, we need to be careful but we need to be _ motive? no, we need to be careful but we need to be factual- motive? no, we need to be careful but we need to be factual as - motive? no, we need to be careful but we need to be factual as well. | but we need to be factual as well. the man is a syrian man. we are told... we were initially told that he was seeking refugee status in france, it now appears that he had refugee status in sweden and got there quite recently but travelled regularly back to france where it seems he had been making a kind of parallel application for asylum. the fact that he had the refugee status granted in sweden meant he is in order, he is not illegal, he is travelling around legitimately in france. apparently he came and went to france quite regularly, which suggest that maybe has family in sweden as well as down here. but

there is nothing on his record that there is nothing on his record that the police have, no history of violence or of affiliation with islamist groups, but of course the question on everybody�*s mines will be whether there is some kind of religious connection with this. we just don't know at the moment. the terrorist office of the prosecutor's department has not been called on to investigate, which suggests that at this point in time they are not thinking that this was an act that was inspired by religious islamist terrorism. but i'm sure that is being kept open for the time being and we will know more later. hugh schofield joining _ and we will know more later. hugh schofield joining us _ and we will know more later. hugh schofield joining us from _ and we will know more later. hugh schofield joining us from paris. for the moment, thank you so much. you are watching bbc news. i'm gareth barlow. we are following developments here in the newsroom on the situation in france. we arejust getting reports via the reuters

agency about the number of children that have been injured. police have... their quoting two sources, to children and one adult in a life—threatening condition, while two children are slightly hurt. that is according to police sources quoted by the reuters police agency. we had heard eight children, but that has been revised down to two children and one adult in a life—threatening condition and two children slightly hurt. i want to show you some pictures now. this is not life but this is from around the scene. you can see the red tape at the bottom of your screen there. they are from annecy. you can see people still going about some of their morning business. the lake is to the left of your screen. it is obviously a very famous part of france. this is about 500 kilometres south—east of paris. let's get more

on this with our correspondent, who joins us live in the newsroom. you are following developments. what is the latest? , ., , , ., are following developments. what is the latest? , the latest? yes, as you say there was a news _ the latest? yes, as you say there was a news update, _ the latest? yes, as you say there was a news update, three - the latest? yes, as you say there was a news update, three people thought— was a news update, three people thought to be in life—threatening condition. — thought to be in life—threatening condition, two of them children stop and a _ condition, two of them children stop and a third _ condition, two of them children stop and a third thought to be perhaps that elderly man who was attacked by this man _ that elderly man who was attacked by this man who, as the police were approaching, apparently we are hearing — approaching, apparently we are hearing from sources this attacker ran towards an elderly couple and began _ ran towards an elderly couple and began stabbing them. and we are just seeing _ began stabbing them. and we are just seeing french television has been airing _ seeing french television has been airing pictures and video showing this man — airing pictures and video showing this man that hugh schofield was describing wearing this bandanna, running _ describing wearing this bandanna, running through the park after apparently carrying out the attack. and that _ apparently carrying out the attack. and that park you just showed in the pictures. _ and that park you just showed in the pictures. a _ and that park you just showed in the pictures, a tranquil spot for kids to play. — pictures, a tranquil spot for kids to play, apparently the attacker jumped — to play, apparently the attacker

jumped over that fence and began stabbing _ jumped over that fence and began stabbing children, some of them as young _ stabbing children, some of them as young as _ stabbing children, some of them as young as three, perhaps even youngen _ young as three, perhaps even younger. we are still waiting to find out — younger. we are still waiting to find out the details there. but disrupting what would otherwise have been a _ disrupting what would otherwise have been a sunny and tranquil afternoon in this— been a sunny and tranquil afternoon in this lakeside town where of course — in this lakeside town where of course these events are very shocking — course these events are very shocking and rare. as course these events are very shocking and rare.— course these events are very shockin: and rare. . , ., shocking and rare. as hugh schofield was tellin: shocking and rare. as hugh schofield was telling us — shocking and rare. as hugh schofield was telling us a _ shocking and rare. as hugh schofield was telling us a few _ shocking and rare. as hugh schofield was telling us a few moments - shocking and rare. as hugh schofield was telling us a few moments ago, i was telling us a few moments ago, there is no known motive as yet for this situation. and we are just getting reports via reuters that the attacker was not known to security agencies. that is quoting a source close to the investigation. but that will be now the main focus, won't it? for police and for the authorities, to try to understand what has gone on. while at the same time doing their very best to look after those children and that elderly man who are in hospital and in critical condition.— in critical condition. that's right. that will be _ in critical condition. that's right. that will be the _ in critical condition. that's right. that will be the focus _ in critical condition. that's right. that will be the focus of - in critical condition. that's right. that will be the focus of the - that will be the focus of the investigation, and gerald darmanin has already said investigations will

be under— has already said investigations will be under way into what the motive was _ be under way into what the motive was we _ be under way into what the motive was. we cannot speculate at this point _ was. we cannot speculate at this point beyond what we have been reporting, which is that this man apparently did have some asylum status— apparently did have some asylum status via — apparently did have some asylum status via another european country but he _ status via another european country but he appears to have been a syrian national~ _ but he appears to have been a syrian national. beyond that, we don't have more _ national. beyond that, we don't have more details as to exactly why this attack— more details as to exactly why this attack was — more details as to exactly why this attack was carried out. but it does come _ attack was carried out. but it does come against a backdrop of attacks and stabbings in france that have persisted — and stabbings in france that have persisted over the years, especially since _ persisted over the years, especially since the _ persisted over the years, especially since the 2015 attacks that put france — since the 2015 attacks that put france on _ since the 2015 attacks that put france on a state of high alert. as we've _ france on a state of high alert. as we've been— france on a state of high alert. as we've been reporting earlier this year. _ we've been reporting earlier this year, there were a few showers in the train — year, there were a few showers in the train station in paris. many of these _ the train station in paris. many of these attacks do have terrorist motives — these attacks do have terrorist motives but it is too soon to say whether— motives but it is too soon to say whether that is the case today. do sta whether that is the case today. stay with us whether that is the case today. drr stay with us here on bbc news. i just want to remind our viewers what we are talking about, what we know has happened so far. this was an attack that started at around 9:45am

local time in south—eastern france. that is around 7:1i5am gmt. and we know that this man approached this group of young children who were out with reminders early in the morning in that small part by the sight of the lake. i want to show you are exactly that happen. let's show you these pictures now of the scene. you can see the park to the right—hand side, the lake now appearing on the left—hand side of your screen, and that red and white tape. this is where this stabbing incident happened. it is said that these young children, some of them as young children, some of them as young as the age of three years old, were in their push chairs when this man, wielding a knife, suddenly appeared and began, and they are distressing details, to stab these young children while they were still in their chairs. this is the scene of where this attack took place. we are then being told that the attacker ran away from this location and attacked an elderly man who was

working nearby. you can see that this is an area that is open to the public, footpaths that crisscross that region. and at that point, after he left the stabbing scene, he was shortly intervened by police, who shot the attacker in the legs and overpowered him. so that is the details of what we know that has happened so far. it is obviously a developing situation. we are also seeing now lots of reaction, including from the french president, emmanuel macron.— including from the french president, emmanuel macron. that's right, and emmanuel macron. that's right, and emmanuel macron _ emmanuel macron. that's right, and emmanuel macron are _ emmanuel macron. that's right, and emmanuel macron are saying - emmanuel macron. that's right, and emmanuel macron are saying this i emmanuel macron. that's right, and l emmanuel macron are saying this was an act— emmanuel macron are saying this was an act of— emmanuel macron are saying this was an act of extreme cowardice and described — an act of extreme cowardice and described the victims as hovering between — described the victims as hovering between life and death. so of course national _ between life and death. so of course national concern about this story, and we _ national concern about this story, and we have got the prime minister, elisabeth _ and we have got the prime minister, elisabeth borne, is heading to the scene _ elisabeth borne, is heading to the scene we — elisabeth borne, is heading to the scene. we expect to arrive perhaps later on _ scene. we expect to arrive perhaps later on today. and this will be a bil later on today. and this will be a big government investigation and a

lane big government investigation and a large contingent from the french government expected to descend on this smaller ipad alpine town —— my chris— this smaller ipad alpine town —— my chris motler — this smaller ipad alpine town —— my chris moller alpine town. a shocking and disruptive event in this lakeside _ and disruptive event in this lakeside town.— and disruptive event in this lakeside town. and we are also heafina lakeside town. and we are also hearing that — lakeside town. and we are also hearing that there _ lakeside town. and we are also hearing that there is _ lakeside town. and we are also hearing that there is a - lakeside town. and we are also hearing that there is a press i hearing that there is a press conference that is due to take place in the next 10—15 minutes or so. we will bring you the details as and when we get them. we are expecting at that press conference the mayor of annecy and the public prosecutor for the region, that should hopefully give us more details. but this, as hugh schofield was saying, even for seasoned journalists in france, and we have mentioned the fact there have been stabbing attacks previously in the country, but this is completely grave in its

severity considering the fact that it affects these young, young children, some of them just three years old in their pushchairs early on a morning, normally enjoying a perfectly normal start to the day. yes, absolutely, gareth. and this has really— yes, absolutely, gareth. and this has really struck a very serious chord — has really struck a very serious chord among french people in the french— chord among french people in the french parliament, as you were saying — french parliament, as you were saying there. lawmakers holding a moment— saying there. lawmakers holding a moment of— saying there. lawmakers holding a moment of silence to mark and to remember— moment of silence to mark and to remember and moment of silence to mark and to rememberand honour moment of silence to mark and to remember and honour the victims of this shocking attack, really. a lawmaker, one of the lawmakers, antoine _ lawmaker, one of the lawmakers, antoine armand, has tweeted "what an abominable _ antoine armand, has tweeted "what an abominable attack this was on such voung _ abominable attack this was on such young innocent children." as you say, _ young innocent children." as you say, as— young innocent children." as you say, as young as three, playing on a sunny— say, as young as three, playing on a sunny afternoon in this lakeside park _ sunny afternoon in this lakeside park and — sunny afternoon in this lakeside park. and even for a french journalist _ park. and even for a french journalist and people who have french — journalist and people who have french family, as i do and as other

journalists — french family, as i do and as other journalists do, it is certainly a very— journalists do, it is certainly a very difficult story to hear about and to _ very difficult story to hear about and to cover as these young children. _ and to cover as these young children, their lives, and this elderly— children, their lives, and this elderly adult, their lives hang in the balance at the moment. we will follow the developments _ the balance at the moment. we will follow the developments closely - the balance at the moment. we will follow the developments closely on | follow the developments closely on this story. for the moment, thank you so much. just worth reminding viewers that there is a life page on our website, that is that bbc dot—com. and also on the bbc news app. if you don't have it already, you can download it on your smartphone or tablet. we are following those developments in france closely. let's step away from that story for a few moments and bring you some of the day's other news. president zelensky has angrily denounced international aid organisations for not moving faster to help rescue efforts in flooded areas.

earlier, i spoke with olga, a resident in kherson and asked how significant zelensky�*s visit has been for people there. yesterday, they were people coming back, people who had managed to be rescued. now we are seeing people heading out presumably salvage what they can.

now we are seeing people head out to presumably salvage what they can. the water really is high the further you go down that street. and there really is an eerie quiet. and people are talking about it taking five years for the dam to be repaired. this is a city that is going to take much longer to heal. a recovery process made all the more difficult with this war zone continuing to be so active. so the only official figure we are being given is three by officials. three people who were killed on the eastern bank of the river from where we are, which is occupied by russian forces. we saw a body recovered yesterday, but i think we can expect that figure to go up. because if someone is living in a single—storey place, given that the water is as high as it is, it would be an incredibly difficult situation. and because of what has happened to the kakhovka dam, because if the irrigation system being affected, an area roughly the size of norfolk in the uk is going to be deprived of water. so the agricultural ministry is warning that some huge swathes of land will be left bone dry this time next year. they will be completely... forms will be completely reliant on rainfall. so the list of consequences as a result of the destruction of the dam is huge.

where fields haven't been flooded next to the dnipro river, but it sits next to the kakhovka dam reservoir, which when you drive past it is like a sea. it's enormous. it's around 30 kilometres wide. hundreds of thousands of households rely on it for water. you have these zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, europ's biggest, further upstream, which relies on the water there for its cooling system. so it is notjust about if someone's house is flooded, it is about long—term water supply. it is also helpful to look at it through a military lens, in that a river is a very useful natural line of defence. and i think that is what the game that is being played here. but it's a serious game. you know, russia has continued to spread its false claims about its invasion, the false justification. but it's right to say that both sides to blame each other. but people here are bright eyed about the military dynamic that is going on and they are in no doubt personally as to who is responsible. we will hear from that resident in a few moments. president zelensky angrily denouncing... translation: every person that dies there is an indictment _ of the existing international structure and international organisations that have forgotten to save lives. if an organisation is not in this disaster area now, then they don't exist. they're incapable of functioning. we've made all the relevant appeals.

around 600 square kilometres of the region is under water following the cook dam down. earlier, i spoke with olga, a resident in kherson and asked how significant zelensky�*s visit has been for people there. the first few days after the liberation, he came. he was not scared of anything. considering the damage, what you think yourfuture looks considering the damage, what you think your future looks like? first. think your future looks like? first, we have to — think your future looks like? first, we have to win _ think your future looks like? first, we have to win the _ think your future looks like? first, we have to win the war _ think your future looks like? first, we have to win the war and - think your future looks like? first, we have to win the war and then i we have to win the war and then restore everything. i have no doubts who has done it. we are sure that it

is russia. not damage, they blew up the dam. the dam was mined in autumn and our president and our government talked about it and we knew this. it was under russian's control. we thought that it could happen. and nobody trusted us. now i think the other danger is from the zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, because it relies on the reservoir water. and the world has to stand as one and save ukraine, save not only kherson and kherson region but ukraine, because they wantjust

kherson and kherson region but ukraine, because they want just to kill all of us. we are now fighting for our liberty, for our freedom. we want to live as any other country in the world. why? the world is so quiet. why the world doesn't help us to get rid of these horrible monsters? we are suffering here because of them. they are killing us even while people were rescuing from their flooded areas and they shoot us. person is a short all the time. we have no safe night, no safety, they shoot any time from the left bank. they can reach is very easily. please, turn with your face to ukraine and to kherson region, and not only to kherson region. that was

a resident in — not only to kherson region. that was a resident in kherson _ not only to kherson region. that was a resident in kherson speaking - not only to kherson region. that was a resident in kherson speaking to - not only to kherson region. that was | a resident in kherson speaking to me a resident in kherson speaking to me a few moments ago. like we have been saying, president zelensky did visit the region. he posted on telegram that "our task is to protect lives and to help people as much as possible forced" he went on to say, "i thank the rescuers and volunteers, i thank everyone involved in this work." there is plenty more details on the life page on our website. millions of people in north america have been advised to wear high—grade masks outdoors due to air pollution created by intense wildfires in canada. new york will begin distributing one million free masks on thursday. canada has said that people should wear a mask if they are unable to remain indoors. the canadian government says nearly a hundred million people in the us and canada are currently experiencing very poor air quality.

much of the smoke is coming from quebec, where 150 fires are burning. hundreds of american firefighters have been deployed to canada, to help local teams battle the flames. here's the canadian prime minister — justin trudeau. over the past years, we've seen extreme weather events increase in their intensity and their impact on canadians, as well as on the cost to families, to provinces and to the federal budget. we have over the past years seen atmospheric rivers in bc causing devastating floods, we've seen hurricane fiona hit harder than hurricanes in recent memory last year, and this year the worst wildfire season we've ever had right the country. so we need to continue to adjust and adapt to what we're doing. that was justin trudeau. let's return you to this breaking story from france. the stabbings that have left several young children in a critical condition in hospital, as

well as an elderly man. ijust