when it comes to this that make the uk and _ when it comes to this that make the uk and us— when it comes to this that make the uk and us are working together to make _ uk and us are working together to make sure — uk and us are working together to make sure they are developed safely and responsibly and jointly. ourjob as leaders is to ensure that this technological revolution makes us more secure and not less. today, the president and i agreed to work together on a high safety, including multilaterally. countries like china and russia are willing _ countries like china and russia are willing to _ countries like china and russia are willing to steal our intellectual property use technology for authoritarian ends are withdraw crucial resources like energy — ends are withdraw crucial resources like energy. they will not succeed. welcome to the programme — the uk and the us announce

an agreement which will see them working together more closely on a range of issues including trade, green funding and technology. joining me on my panel tonight for the next hour, will be tom peck, political sketch writer at the independent and joel rubin, political strategist at the washington strategy group. also in the programme: wildfires in canada. air pollution in the us. a new el nino weather event. we'll investigate what's going on with our climate. in ukraine — president zelensky has been to see the damage done after the attack on the dam. and in france — the latest on the four very young children stabbed in a park in annecy. first — lets go to the usuk prime minister is in washington. ——first — lets go to the us, uk prime minister is in washington. meeting us presidentjoe biden. this is them a few hours ago now,

posing in that familiar room, that familiar pose for the price. they also had a private meeting, of course, and then after the private meeting had a joint press conference and they announced an agreement they say will see both countries working together more closely on a range of issues including trade, investment and technology. the so—called "atlantic declaration". we got a little bit of a sense of what they've been talking about in private, economic ties, support for ukraine, things like that. right, let's take a listen to what they said publicly, first the us president. so, mr prime minister, thank you for making the journey to washington. earlier this week, we marked the 79th anniversary of d—day, and a timely reminder of a proud history our nations share and the values that we have long stood together to defend. that's the unshakeable foundation of this special relationship —

and it is a special relationship. there is no country closer to us than great britain. today, as nato allies, partners in innovation, as friends in a shared vision of the future, and the two nations, our two nations ready to meet the challenges of our time and meet them together. and now we will hear from mr sunak. today we have agreed the atlantic declaration, a new economic partnership for a new age of the kind that has never been agreed before. yes, of partnership that protects our citizens, but more than that, a test case for the kind of reimagined alliances president biden has spoken so eloquently about. that means new investments, this week alone, £14 billion of new american investment has been committed into the uk, creating thousands of jobs. it means stronger supply chains with a new action plan unclean energy, and it means reducing trade barriers

and the technologies of the future. with a new secure uk — us data bridge helping tens of thousands of small businesses. one of the specific issues that they were talking about was artificial intelligence. let's listen tojoe biden on that. i don't think ever in the history of human endeavour has there been as fundamental potential technological change as is presented by artificial intelligence. it is staggering. you have some of these leaders in the industry talking about how they are concerned, whether machine will be able to think for itself. not to need to be programmed. i mean, it isjust... i know it sounds like science fiction, but it is close to science fiction, some of the things will stop it has enormous potential. to science ——fiction, some of the things. it has enormous potential. let's return to our panel.

tom peck, political sketch writer at the independent and joel rubin, political strategist at the washington strategy group. great to see you. one us and one brit were in a good position to discuss this. probably a bigger deal for the uk, these meetings always tend to be. let's start with you, from a uk— rishi sunak perspective. he saw the press conference. what did you make of that? joe he saw the press conference. what did you make of that?— he saw the press conference. what did you make of that? joe biden said the words "special _ did you make of that? joe biden said the words "special relationship" - the words "special relationship" three times in one sentence, i think, that's a record. obviously the brits love that, as long as he says the words "special relationship" that will keep us happy until the next trip. at the us know is that they are just words, and i know this is boring, but the special relationship is dependent on what was britain's road for a very long time, which was to be the uk's man in europe. the us�*s man in europe, rather, and it is not any more. trump wasn't so bothered by that. biden is bothered. the rest of

it is just words, really. let’s that. biden is bothered. the rest of it isjust words, really.— it isjust words, really. let's get onto a bit _ it isjust words, really. let's get onto a bit of— it isjust words, really. let's get onto a bit of substance. joe - it isjust words, really. let's get i onto a bit of substance. joe biden stands there and meets with the fairview world leaders there. how important is a meeting with rishi sunak and what do you make of what they chose to focus on?— they chose to focus on? well, clearl , they chose to focus on? well, clearly. to _ they chose to focus on? well, clearly, to time's _ they chose to focus on? well, clearly, to time's point, - they chose to focus on? well, clearly, to time's point, just l clearly, to time's point, just words. _ clearly, to time's point, just words, but the words do matter, and it is important to have rishi sunak in the _ it is important to have rishi sunak in the oval— it is important to have rishi sunak in the oval office, as he was today. it's a _ in the oval office, as he was today. it's a demonstration that the relationship still maintains depth here in— relationship still maintains depth here in the united states. there is a deep _ here in the united states. there is a deep british american partnership going _ a deep british american partnership going back so many decades now that even with— going back so many decades now that even with the low points, as we saw with brexit. — even with the low points, as we saw with brexit, itjust doesn't disappear overnight. i think the agenda — disappear overnight. i think the agenda is — disappear overnight. i think the agenda is rather limited to this point — agenda is rather limited to this point. artificial intelligence is an incredibly— point. artificial intelligence is an incredibly esoteric topic, while it has broader ramifications, it's not something — has broader ramifications, it's not something on the tips of tongues of

every— something on the tips of tongues of every american. it's making it into the discussion. that is very narrow. of course, — the discussion. that is very narrow. of course, these agreements are nothing _ of course, these agreements are nothing like the ones envisaged of large _ nothing like the ones envisaged of large us— nothing like the ones envisaged of large us uk free trade agreement was. these are very narrow agreements. good economic cooperation agreements, but nothing grand _ cooperation agreements, but nothing grand there. so it is good strong band-aid — grand there. so it is good strong band—aid type of meeting. it certainly— band—aid type of meeting. it certainly does have impact and it is important. — certainly does have impact and it is important, but it does demonstrate to tom's _ important, but it does demonstrate to tom's point how different the relationship is right now in terms of the _ relationship is right now in terms of the trig — relationship is right now in terms of the big ideas and the big partnerships that we had not so long a-o. partnerships that we had not so long ato. ., , . ., partnerships that we had not so long ao. ., , . ., , ' partnerships that we had not so long ao. ., , ' ,,., ,y ago. fascinating stuff. standby, we will be back — ago. fascinating stuff. standby, we will be back with _ ago. fascinating stuff. standby, we will be back with you _ ago. fascinating stuff. standby, we will be back with you a _ ago. fascinating stuff. standby, we will be back with you a little - will be back with you a little later. thanks for that. to ukraine now and the dam attack that occured there. president zelensky has been in kherson here his is visiting the scene. he thanked the rescuers. but also said aid agencies had been

too slow to respond. and he then went on to a hospital to see people who are getting treated. but despite this, people being treated inside, the rescue effort still ongoing outside. extraordinarily, these pictures here, a couple hours after the visit, the area comes under intense russian fire — making it even harder for rescue workers. our correspondentjames wayterhouse has spent the day on the dnipro river. it is hard to picture an estimated four cubic miles of water until you are in it. victor and vitali haven't stopped for two days, searching for people trapped. they shout. why don't you want to leave? they shout. so they've said, "we don't want to leave.

they are older people who can't get away, give us your power banks," so they can charge devices. while the water levels have stabilised, they are still dauntingly high. so we are just passing through two apartment blocks. and it feels like a strange theme park ride. because of what we are having to weave through. and yet, victor is asking people whether or not they want to be evacuated, no one yet has taken them up on that offer. and why do you think people don't want to leave their homes? people, many, many people are stupid. they think it's ok, they think it will be ok after one day, maybe two days, but it's not ok. every time the water is more and more and more. when this finally receeds, you wonder what will be left. a war, an invasion by russia which takes everything. james waterhouse, bbc news, kherson.

ukrainian officials are now warning of the long—term consequences of the dam's destruction on agriculture and infrastructure. our diplomatic correpsondent james landale assessed the true scale of the damage. the destruction of the kharkov dam is more than just a short term humanitarian crisis. the united nations is warning of grave and far reaching consequences for thousands of people who live in this whole region, not just those who've lost their homes. now, these infrared satellite images show the scale of the flooding downstream before and then after the dam burst. and you can see just how much land has been inundated on both sides. flooding towns, washing away crops. now, this was the town of oleshky on the russian occupied east bank. and, well, this is what it looks like now. but there's also a risk of pollution from oil and chemicals caught up in the flood. and there's dangerfrom land mines

washed away from known locations. and there are wider consequences, too, further upstream. now, of course, there's carnage for fish and other wildlife in the short term, but there'll also be a shortage of drinking water, especially in towns like zaporizhzhia. and potentially, potentially, most importantly, long term devastation for farming. both sides of the front line relied on this reservoir for irrigation. and ukraine's agriculture ministry says that without the water more than a million acres of land, this fertile stuff here, could become like a desert. there are military consequences too. russia feared that ukraine might counterattack across the river here, but there's no road across the dam any more. and the floods make any kind of amphibious assault harder. so russia's western flank is now much more secure. but perhaps most importantly, this humanitarian disaster is a massive distraction for ukraine's commanders as they begin to test russia's

defences all the way along the front line ahead of any offensive. thank you to jane's for that. and we will look at the counter now. we speak to general sir richard barrons, a former commander of uk joint forces. he is also the co—chair of universal defence and security solutions. let's ta ke let's take a look at james's last point there. what impact do you think the huge damage from the destruction of that damn well have fun ukraine's planning and resources for the counteroffensive? i fun ukraine's planning and resources for the counteroffensive?— for the counteroffensive? i think to larae for the counteroffensive? i think to large degree. _ for the counteroffensive? i think to large degree. they _ for the counteroffensive? i think to large degree, they will _ for the counteroffensive? i think to large degree, they will find - for the counteroffensive? i think to large degree, they will find a - for the counteroffensive? i think to large degree, they will find a way l large degree, they will find a way of stepping over it. i don't think the flooding will have come as a complete surprise. they must have factored that into one of the of the things the russians could do in the face of an eminent counteroffensive. in the military activity that we are seeing mostly in southern ukraine suggests that the counteroffensive is getting under way. it's not fully

committed yet, and the fighting will not have really interfered with how thatis not have really interfered with how that is done. —— the flooding will not have interfered. fin that is done. -- the flooding will not have interfered.— not have interfered. on the counteroffensive, - not have interfered. on the counteroffensive, what - not have interfered. on the counteroffensive, what are | not have interfered. on the . counteroffensive, what are the not have interfered. on the - counteroffensive, what are the kind of first steps? what are the first level ames? is itjust simply to punch through to breach some russian defences? what kind of things would count as a success? i defences? what kind of things would count as a success?— count as a success? i think this is reall an count as a success? i think this is really an important _ count as a success? i think this is really an important point, - count as a success? i think this is| really an important point, because if you look at the size of a ukrainian offensive force that has been built, about 50,000 people in 12 brigades, nine of which have got i2 brigades, nine of which have got nato equipment, supported by the 200,000 or so ukrainians who are already in the lane. it is really unlikely that at this offensive is going to be big enough or long enough to throw every russian soldier out of ukraine. so what we are really looking for over the next weeks and maybe months is sufficient success on the part of ukrainian

military and taking and holding a substantive part of ground that is currently occupied by russian forces to show ukraine and ukraine's backers that this war can be fought and won if we keep up the flow of material and will and money. let’s material and will and money. let's take one example _ material and will and money. let's take one example that _ material and will and money. let's take one example that this kind of so symbolic during this were, is it possible, for example to take it back, we know we hear all the time about its limited military value, but as an example of taking bakhmut with that then count as a success? well, it wouldn't because bakhmut has acquired an iconic significance in this war beyond its geographical value. i think the challenge of bakhmut is if ukraine invested a lot of military effort in trying to take it back, they could get bogged down in the same sort of fight that we have seen frankly, for more than six months. but bakhmut leads on to an

area of ukraine that is strongly held by russian forces and backs onto russia. so they would be giving themselves a much bigger challenge than they need to if their aim is to take ground that they can count. interesting, that is what i want to ask. so if an area like that you don't think it's worth it, what looking at the map is the kind of area that you would focus on? well. area that you would focus on? well, the most likely _ area that you would focus on? well, the most likely course _ area that you would focus on? well, the most likely course of— area that you would focus on? well, the most likely course of action - the most likely course of action which i think is perhaps the one we are seeing starting to unfold is that ukraine military well attack to the south and try and cut the land bridge that runs from russia to crimea in order to separate the russian eastern and southern commands. and if they were able to drive that and hold it against the russian response, including in the air, then that would significantly undermine the coherence of the russian occupation of ukraine and show that territorial gains can be made with enough effort.

fascinating. thank you very much for lending us your expertise this evening. thank you. let's return to our panel. tom peck, political sketch writer at the independent and joel rubin, political strategist at the washington strategy group. the us is by far, of course, the biggest supporter of ukraine in terms of money. it simply, ukraine simply doesn't stand a chance if the us doesn't fall in behind it with a level of support that it has. there is no sign from what we have just heard from joe biden of anything changing underjoe biden's leadership. changing underjoe biden's leadership-— changing underjoe biden's leadershi. ., ., . , leadership. not right now. certainly this is the path _ leadership. not right now. certainly this is the path we _ leadership. not right now. certainly this is the path we are _ leadership. not right now. certainly this is the path we are on _ leadership. not right now. certainly this is the path we are on and - this is the path we are on and we have seen the progressive increase in the types and sophistication of

weaponry that the united states is providing and green writing for ukraine. and the funding is flowing and it will flow through the end of this fiscal year. there will be a bit of a moment in the fall when air defence spending is debated and we will see what house republicans do if they are willing to cut back funding or not. so much depends on this current spring offensive and the next several months, but certainly president biden is all in. he continues to mobilise the global community, clearly as well meeting with prime minister sunak was part of that. we should mention that that is a key component of the relationship then, of course, president biden has got american support and broad popular support for this effort. so in the near term, we will see what the results are. that will really have an impact on american politics and the funding levels towards the ends of the year. just want to focus on the impact that we have been seeing of the

destruction of that damn, simply enormous. destruction of that damn, simply enormou— enormous. yeah, i mean, i can't really get — enormous. yeah, i mean, i can't really get over — enormous. yeah, i mean, i can't really get overjames _ enormous. yeah, i mean, i can't. really get overjames warehouse's report— really get overjames warehouse's report that you just showed. i honestly— report that you just showed. i honestly feel like i've never seen any news — honestly feel like i've never seen any news footage like it in the sense — any news footage like it in the sense that we have seen lots of news footage _ sense that we have seen lots of news footage like it of correspondence driving _ footage like it of correspondence driving around in a dinghy around sonre— driving around in a dinghy around some appalling flooded area with the exception _ some appalling flooded area with the exception that this is entirely man—made, a deliberate act. i don't think— man—made, a deliberate act. i don't think i've _ man—made, a deliberate act. i don't think i've ever seen anything like it. think i've ever seen anything like it what — think i've ever seen anything like it what it— think i've ever seen anything like it. what it shows very clearly is what _ it. what it shows very clearly is what is — it. what it shows very clearly is what is already known and has been known _ what is already known and has been known for _ what is already known and has been known for a — what is already known and has been known for a long time, that putin prosecutes— known for a long time, that putin prosecutes ways in dismal ways and has done _ prosecutes ways in dismal ways and has done for a very long time and it further— has done for a very long time and it further demonstrates it's also been clear for— further demonstrates it's also been clear for a — further demonstrates it's also been clear for a long time, that we are a lon- clear for a long time, that we are a long way— clear for a long time, that we are a long way beyond the point of no return, — long way beyond the point of no return, and the on the outcome that we can— return, and the on the outcome that we can possibly remain with is one in which, _ we can possibly remain with is one in which, as— we can possibly remain with is one in which, as has been discussed, biden— in which, as has been discussed, biden and — in which, as has been discussed, biden and his allies and the west continue — biden and his allies and the west continue to provide everything that is necessary to achieve the on the outcome —

is necessary to achieve the on the outcome that can be acceptable. time, _ outcome that can be acceptable. time, joel, thank you very much. we will speak to again a little bit later. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. some news from here in the uk now, former green party leader, caroline lucas, is to stand down as an mp at the next general election after ten years in the job. she says the pressures of constituency work — and being the party's only mp — have left her unable to focus as much as she wanted on what she called the existential challenges of the nature and climate emergencies. a 14—year—old boy who died following an incident at a school in west lothian has been named locally as hamdan aslam. emergency services were called to st kentigern's academy in blackburn on tuesday afternoon. the teenager was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards. it is understood another 14—year—old boy was involved in the incident which the school has described as isolated. there has been a significant shift in how we do our grocery shopping since the covid pandemic and cost

of living crisis. retail data, compiled the analyst firm kantar has told the bbc, shoppers now visit the supermarket less often, spend more on own—label goods and are turning to loyalty schemes to get discounts. you're live with bbc news. and west ham are having a trophy parade through the streets of east london. huge crowds lined the streets to celebrate winning the europa conference league final — after the club beat fiorentina 2—1 in prague on wednesday night. it's the london club's first european trophy since 1965. the victory also seals a place in next season's europa league and means european football for the third year running for the first time in the club's history. next to the wildfires in canada in quebec to the east. take a look at this. 400 fires, 236 are

still out of control. the impact is huge. this is 500 miles away, new york's times square, struggling with air quality. they are attempting to give out a million masks. this is to try to help people. just take a look at this time lapse. absolutely extraordinary. that was the smog yesterday in new york. millions of people are being advised to stay inside or if they have to go outside then they should wear a mask. let's hear from some new yorkers. the apocalypse. that's what it feels like. it's very scary and dangerous. i haven't had a mask on since coronavirus. no, haven't seen anything like this at all. it's bonkers. i was completely shocked by the haze and this horrible, horrible smell. - it feels like a video game, it doesn't feel real. itjust smells weird. it's just crazy. like, my lungs feel weird right now.

look again at the haze here, that's new york across the water. there's been widespread distruption at airports, flights being delayed at laguardia and newark airports because of visibility concerns. events have being cancelled, such as baseball games and pride events. here's new york mayor talking about the pollution. ——and now we cross live to kyle brittain in calgary — who is a weather specialist and former wild fire fighter thank you forjoining us on the programme. thank you for “oining us on the programme.— thank you for “oining us on the rouramme. . ~ i. ., . programme. thank you for having me. what do you — programme. thank you for having me. what do you make _ programme. thank you for having me. what do you make of _ programme. thank you for having me. what do you make of those _ programme. thank you for having me. what do you make of those images . what do you make of those images that we have all been seeing throughout the day? you that we have all been seeing throughout the day? you know, this is kind of becoming _ throughout the day? you know, this is kind of becoming a _ throughout the day? you know, this is kind of becoming a normal- throughout the day? you know, this is kind of becoming a normal thing i is kind of becoming a normal thing here, especially in the western part of north america. the folks on the eastern seaboard of the us, eastern canada, many people at their expense and what many folks have been experiencing western parts of the continent with increasing wildfires

in california, washington, british columbia. we had skies like that here in calgary in western canada just a few weeks ago. it is getting pretty nasty out there. the just a few weeks ago. it is getting pretty nasty out there.— pretty nasty out there. the colour is extraordinary. we _ pretty nasty out there. the colour is extraordinary. we were - pretty nasty out there. the colour is extraordinary. we were hearing earlier on the potential damage it can do. but it's itjust something other people are going to have to get used to? it's going to happen more often. get used to? it's going to happen more often-— get used to? it's going to happen more often. , , ., , more often. does seem to be trending in that direction. _ more often. does seem to be trending in that direction. here _ more often. does seem to be trending in that direction. here in _ more often. does seem to be trending in that direction. here in canada, - in that direction. here in canada, we have seen less wildfires over all over the past few decades, but we have been seeing more area burnt, as well as more wildfire disasters and more evacuations. the trend is in the wrong direction. at these massive wildfires burning, we will see more smoke and more impacts to air quality, so certainly unfortunately going to be something we have to learn to live within the coming years if this trend continues.— coming years if this trend continues. ~ , , . , ., continues. we see pictures of the wildfires and _ continues. we see pictures of the wildfires and the _ continues. we see pictures of the wildfires and the damage - continues. we see pictures of the wildfires and the damage they - continues. we see pictures of the wildfires and the damage they do | wildfires and the damage they do just in and of themselves, let alone the smoke and every thing else. what are the challenges? how do you try

and bring these huge wildfires under control? ., �* , ., , and bring these huge wildfires under control? . �* , . , control? that's a very good question- _ control? that's a very good question- i _ control? that's a very good question. i spent _ control? that's a very good question. i spent four - control? that's a very good - question. i spent four summers myself as a wildland firefighter in western canada. i've been documenting these fires this year even went up to northern alberta to document some fires in early and mid may. these fires are just so intense. you can picture trees about 50 or 100 feet tall. these flame lengths are at least double that. see can imagine the amount of heat thatis see can imagine the amount of heat that is coming off these. you can feel the heat off these claims from many hundreds of metres away when that fire behaviour is so intense like that. it'sjust that fire behaviour is so intense like that. it's just simply not possible to get manpower on the ground to actually action these wildfires at close range. even aerial suppression lake of fire retardant water being dropped from planes, dealing with smoke, and the fires are so hot that the water that is coming down just evaporates before it hits the flames. that peak burning period, late in the afternoon when we have that hot dry

windy weather come he cannot get anywhere near these fires on the ground or even from the air. it is a very humbling experience as a wildland firefighter to just watch these things ripped and you can't do much about it. that these things ripped and you can't do much about it.— much about it. that is really quite wor in: much about it. that is really quite worrying the _ much about it. that is really quite worrying the way _ much about it. that is really quite worrying the way you _ much about it. that is really quite worrying the way you described i worrying the way you described basically how futile the attempts are. we only have 20 seconds left, but is there any kind of timescale on these fires that are burning right now? when can we hope that they will finish? it right now? when can we hope that they will finish?— they will finish? it looks like we will see a little _ they will finish? it looks like we will see a little bit _ they will finish? it looks like we will see a little bit of— they will finish? it looks like we will see a little bit of a - will see a little bit of a pattern change across north america that will kind of bring more progressive upper air patterns, perhaps summer weather systems, some are raining cooler temperatures. that's really what we need. we need to stop the dry, hot when the weather that's been persisting in the month of may across canada.— across canada. fingers crossed it comes sooner — across canada. fingers crossed it comes sooner rather _ across canada. fingers crossed it comes sooner rather than - across canada. fingers crossed it comes sooner rather than later. l comes sooner rather than later. thank you very much for coming on the programme. that is it for the moment. this is bbc news. hello. there is a change on the way.

the weather is going to be turning warmer over the next couple of days, also turning more humid by day and by night. i think the humid nights will be particularly noticeable as a change from what we've had of late. and with that humidity, the chance of some thunderstorms. now, on the earlier satellite picture, you can see these big blobs of cloud down to the south—west of us. these storm clouds gathering, and these will move quite slowly north—eastwards over the next couple of days. with that, a feed of warm and humid air which will be wafting its way northwards across all parts of the uk, a very, very different feel to the weather. but as we head through tonight, across eastern scotland and eastern england, a familiar tale of this cloud rolling in from the north sea, maybe even getting in across the midlands into east wales, just as it did this morning. but some showers down towards the south—west of england and the channel islands, where it is going to be a very, very warm night compared with some we've had lately. 13—14 degrees is the overnight lows. and then into friday, well,

our early cloud across central and eastern parts tending to burn back towards the coast. then some sunshine, but for the channel islands, the south—west of england and possibly later in the day for northern ireland, the odd shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. still cool from aberdeen down to hull, but close to southern england, we could see highs of around 27 degrees. now, as we move into saturday, this area of low pressure still swirling to the south—west of us, a frontal system pushing north which will bring a band of showers and thunderstorms. now, these showers and storms will be quite well—scattered, but where they do pop up, they could give a lot of rain in a short space of time. there could be some hail, some very strong and gusty winds, but there will always be places that fall between the gaps and stay completely dry. saturday is likely to be the peak of the warmth. in fact, the heat in places with highs of 29, maybe 30 degrees. it will feel humid, and we stick with that humid and warm feel into the evening. around 10pm on saturday evening, it will still be around 21 degrees in london, in birmingham and in manchester, so it could be a little bit uncomfortable for sleeping.

on sunday, still that humid feel. showers and thunderstorms becoming if anything a little more widespread, some of those still really on the heavy side. a little bit fresher out towards the west. highest temperatures further east, 26—27 degrees.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones.

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