live from london. this is bbc news. the us secretary of state begins talks with his chinese counterpart in beijing, amid great tensions between the superpowers. in the uk, a senior government minister slams a lockdown party after new footage emerges, calling the behaviour, �*unacceptable and indefensible�*. uganda s army still pursuing militants who attacked a school 7 brutally killing 37 students. and switzerland votes in a referendum on whether to make the country carbon neutral by 2050. the us secretary of state, antony blinken has met the chinese foreign minister in beijing. it's the highest—profile visit

to china by a us official since president biden took office. tensions remain high between the two nations over issues such as trade, technology and foreign policy. the conflict in ukraine is set to feature prominently in talks. it's possible the us secretary of state will also meet president xi during his stay. our correspondent stephen mcdonnell is in beijing and says mr blinken�*s visit is very symobolic. well, the fact that the meeting is even taking place is quite an achievement. i can't recall another visit by a us government official which has had such low expectations and yet which is so crucially important. i mean, the relationship is so toxic between beijing and washington. if at the end of these meetings at least some new pathways

towards communications, at least some new possibilities for more high level meetings, if those types of things can be set up, i think both sides will be happy and think that they've come away with something that it's been successful, but it's because relations are so bad that nobody expects any sort of a breakthrough on any of the key issues. and if they can just agree to keep talking, well, that'll be something. dr yuka kobayashi is a lecturer in china and international politics at the school of oriental and african studies. she says the visit is important. this builds on a couple of developments in the past couple months. i think when the spy incident happened and the blinken�*s visit was cancelled in february, really us—china relations hit a real low point. and we also saw earlier this month that this request for discussion with the defence ministers was cancelled. but what tends to really focus, be focused is these negative kind

of really tension points. but we forget that, you know, in may, jake sullivan went, met with their counterpart, wang yi, and discussed things. so there have been gradually some kind of opening up of channels. and i think it's a real positive point in the sense that we see this visit come and, you know, in terms of like the issues, there are so many issues to discuss. but it is really remarkable that, you know, blinken is actually visiting china, the first of this kind, you know, afterfive years of, you know, this kind of visits being cancelled. so in that sense, i think it's a remarkable step. and you mentioned that you think actually perhaps tensions are not as high as they have been recently. but do you also think that concerns over the war in ukraine could be playing a part in encouraging both sides to come together at this stage? yes, i think tensions are really high, there's no doubt about that. and there's so many issues like, for example, taiwan, ukraine, the, you know, high tech and surveillance issues. however, we forget that there has been a lot of groundwork on both

sides to really get communication channels, because there's no doubt that the us and china are real rivals at the moment. and there are many issues like, for example, taiwan. and we are seeing these tensions really develop with pelosi's visit over the summer. and, you know, these kinds of, you know, near meetings between us and chinese naval ships. so in that sense, tensions are definitely high. but i wanted to emphasise that it is remarkable that blinken is actually visiting. he's meeting tiangong, he's meeting hawaii and possibly xi tomorrow. so in that sense, communication�*s vital to really have this kind of discussion and negotiation and mediation. so i think in that sense, tensions and there's so many issues in terms of, you know, getting things out of these talks, it could be possible there may be no resolution. but i think it's a, you know, a massive step to actually have discussions and communications where we see blinken actually going into beijing and holding face

to face discussions to hammer out these issues. the ugandan army is continuing its hunt for the militants who attacked a school on friday night, killing at least forty people, many of them children. the rebels — from an islamist extremist group known as the adf — also kidnapped six students before escaping back across the border into the democratic republic of the congo. our correspondent, barbara plett usher, sent this report from nairobi— and a warning it does contain distressing details. he survived, but has to live with the horror. the community stunned by this brutal attack against children. targetted in their dormitories, the militants set fire to the boys�* residence. the girls were hacked or shot to death as they fled, some abducted.

translation: then | they started shooting at the windows and the door. we went to hide under our beds on the floor. as they continued to shoot out the windows, one of us was hit by a bullet and started shouting, "help! come and help me!" those who escaped, still in shock. schools are an easy target but this was the worst attack in years. there are angry questions. if they are telling us the borders are secured, security is tight, i want security to tell us where they were when these killers came to kill our people. the military drove the rebels across the border decades ago into the eastern congo, but it didn't defeat them. they are now linked to the islamic state group. translation: security is a collaborative work. | why do you people keep quiet when you see strangers? right now we have deployed planes in various places to hunt them down. it's an alarming escalation and an unbearable tragedy. barbara plett usher,

bbc news, nairobi. let's cross over to our correspondent dorcas wangira in nairobi. first of all, what do we know about the fate of those students who have been kidnapped? for the fate of those students who have been kidnapped?— been kidnapped? for the six kidnapped. _ been kidnapped? for the six kidnapped, there _ been kidnapped? for the six kidnapped, there has - been kidnapped? for the six kidnapped, there has been l been kidnapped? for the six. kidnapped, there has been no been kidnapped? for the six - kidnapped, there has been no update still. the militants are being pursued, and it is quite ironic that this tragedy happened in school under knight of the african child. in terms of security, because that is what we heard being mentioned in the report, concerns around that, what is being done to allay fears, to enhance security measures? for the to enhance security measures? fr?" the people who live in this area in western uganda, earlier we had the mayor raised concerns just like the ugandan member of parliament, who

spoke so passionately in the story that has been aired, when she kept on asking where the security was. we had one general speaking to the residents to ask them, they said they saw people coming as early as two days ago, why didn't they report it. it raises the question whether the army had intelligence, because there is presidents of the military in this area that borders the drc. some say they have come in their thousands, too little too late, when at the time of the attack, there was no response. in at the time of the attack, there was no response-_ at the time of the attack, there was no resnonse-_ no response. in terms of what ha--ens no response. in terms of what happens next. _ no response. in terms of what happens next, of _ no response. in terms of what happens next, of course - no response. in terms of what happens next, of course this | happens next, of course this represents an escalation. do we have any indication of what this now might do to relations and tensions, and how much it will further escalate the situation? this and how much it will further escalate the situation? this is not 'ust escalate the situation? this is not just ugandan _ escalate the situation? this is not just ugandan problem _ escalate the situation? this is not just ugandan problem any - escalate the situation? this is not just ugandan problem any more. | escalate the situation? this is notl just ugandan problem any more. it escalate the situation? this is not. just ugandan problem any more. it is a problem for region, it is a problem for the continent. earlier

the chairperson of the african union, issued a statement to condemn this attack. when you have insurgents crossing over borders, it now calls for a joint effort to control the problem and contain the problem. having groups linked to the islamic state is not something new in africa. there are also other concerns in mozambique, in tanzania, and this is something that agencies, and this is something that agencies, and governments, must come together and governments, must come together and act upon. one of the commanders who was speaking in swahili in uganda, that means there is a lot of crossing across the borders, and a lot of cooperation between borders. this is not a problem that will go away soon and needs immediate response. our correspondent in nairobi, thank you for that update. ijust want i just want to take you to some live images from the vatican, where the

pope is delivering his first press since leaving hospital. those are live images from vatican city. you can see the crowds at the square outside st peter's basilica. that is where the pope is delivering his first prayer since leaving hospital. he was in hospital in rome for a hernia operation in march he was treated for a chest in affection. when he left hospital he was still appearing upbeat and doing well. that is crowds cheering as the pope delivers his first angelus prayer since his stay in hospital.

now here in the uk, the �*partygate' scandal has been given new oxygen. footage has emerged showing people dancing at the conservative party headquarters in 2020, despite covid lockdown restrictions. the footage was been obtained by the mirror newspaper. at the time, there were tier—2 restrictions in london, which meant people should not socialise indoors, unless they were in the same household. police did investigate this event, but did not issue any fines. live now to north yorkshire with andrew newton, whose family was shielding during the pandemic — andrew's daughter aniela has cerebral palsy. andrew, how do you feel watching this video? thank you for speaking to us. can i get your reaction to watching that video? it’s get your reaction to watching that video? �* , ., ., , �* get your reaction to watching that video? �* , . . , �* ., video? it's amazing, isn't it, what ha--ens video? it's amazing, isn't it, what happens behind — video? it's amazing, isn't it, what happens behind choir— video? it's amazing, isn't it, what happens behind choir to - video? it's amazing, isn't it, what happens behind choir to closed i happens behind choir to closed doors? behind my closed doors we were caring for our severely disabled daughter. those we expected

to be making decisions and work king were partying. the garden party, thatis were partying. the garden party, that is the whole thing behind it. this video that has come out today is a kick in the teeth for those of us who have been fighting for our children who don't have a voice, and then to hear that these people in then to hear that these people in the party have been elevated to a position in the house of lords, where they make decisions. it shows you how even further away from us they actually are. just you how even further away from us they actually are.— they actually are. just to reiterate they actually are. just to reiterate the oint they actually are. just to reiterate the point you _ they actually are. just to reiterate the point you made _ they actually are. just to reiterate the point you made about - they actually are. just to reiterate the point you made about how- the point you made about how different your lockdown experience was from the one that we saw in that video, you run a soft play centre as well, and the lockdown affected not just your family life, but also your business? we just your family life, but also your business? ~ . , . business? we closed the play centre three da s business? we closed the play centre three days before _ business? we closed the play centre three days before the _ business? we closed the play centre three days before the government . three days before the government called the lockdown. that was to protect my staff, to protect my customers and my family. we didn't open again for over a year. we were

in constant contact with the government and we were constantly fobbed off with, children can't be together, children can't be social together, children can't be social together, the risks, the risks, and then seeing that these e—mails were going to people and that is what they were doing. it makes a mockery of the system. they were doing. it makes a mockery of the system-— of the system. earlier this morning on the sac, _ of the system. earlier this morning on the bbc, michael— of the system. earlier this morning on the bbc, michael gove, - of the system. earlier this morning on the bbc, michael gove, the - on the bbc, michael gove, the levelling up secretary, was on the programme, and apologised. he called the behaviour unacceptable and indefensible. does that change your view? does that make it any better for you? view? does that make it any better for ou? ., , ., view? does that make it any better for ou? ., , . ., ., for you? know. these are hollow words, for you? know. these are hollow words. this _ for you? know. these are hollow words, this is _ for you? know. these are hollow words, this is westminster - for you? know. these are hollow i words, this is westminster summed up. what they do is totally different to what they say we should do, and they apologise but they don't show action. we don't have access anywhere, we don't have voices. they are the silent part of society, that they feel that, oh, sorry, is acceptable. it is not

acceptable, we don't have a voice, i am her voice and they don't listen. they are listening to music, obviously, not listening to those who need change. they can make change when it suits them, they can't make change when it suits us. andrew, briefly, is there anything that party, that the government, could say or do now that would make you feel any forgiveness about this video and about the behaviour shown in it? ~ . ., video and about the behaviour shown init? n ., ~., video and about the behaviour shown init? ., ~ ., video and about the behaviour shown init? ., . ., ., in it? action. what we saw a stopidity. — in it? action. what we saw a stopidity. that _ in it? action. what we saw a stupidity, that happens. - in it? action. what we saw a | stupidity, that happens. this in it? action. what we saw a i stupidity, that happens. this is a cultural change in westminster that is needed. they act totally different to the rest of this country. we need them to start working and deliver, rather than their short—term deliveries which keeps them in the public are vie for the short period of elections. i want to see them acting and doing things now for disabled children, like my daughter, like families like mine, who were forgotten and are still forgotten. we have not been asked about the covid inquiry

because we are not on their radar. they need to start acting. sorry is easy to say, action is what we need. thank you for taking the time to speak to us. andrew's family was shielding during the pandemic. officials in northern india say nearly 100 people have died in the past few days during a severe heat wave. temperatures have soared past a0 degrees celsius in the states of uttar pradesh and bihar. experts say temperatures have become more intense in the past decade with a prolonged heatwave in neighbouring bangladesh, which has onlyjust begun to subside. the extreme weather has also led to power cuts. the poor and daily—wage labourers employed in outdoor work have been the worst hit. with more on this with anbarasan ethirajan, south asia regional editor. just tell us a little bit more about what the impact of this has been so far? ., ~ , .,

what the impact of this has been so far? ., ~ , what the impact of this has been so far? ., a , far? even from april to june, people usually witness _ far? even from april to june, people usually witness hot _ far? even from april to june, people usually witness hot months. - far? even from april to june, people usually witness hot months. the i usually witness hot months. the temperatures go up on this continent, but the intensity of this heat has a increased according to experts and that is what we have witnessed. if you take the states of uttar pradesh in northern india, where the doctors are saying that dozens of people have died, and more than 400 have been hospitalised. most of those had other ailments in the heat probably contributed to their deaths. many people are trying various ways to escape from this heat, or to find alternative ways how they can protect themselves, for example, people buy cold water being sold on the roadside, and these pictures were taken in may. you can see how the road surface was melting due to this extreme heat, and people even go to the beach side to call themselves late in the afternoon when the sea breeze sets in. experts

point out that, in the last 30 years, more than 20,000 people have died in the region because of the heatwave. scientists are talking about climate change but they say intensity of this is increasing and thatis intensity of this is increasing and that is why we see the very scorching heat in the subcontinent. we know that experts are saying we will see extreme conditions like this more frequently. is anything being done in terms of infrastructure and more systemic changes to try to mitigate this? in terms of this very hot conditions, people are advised to stay indoors, especially those who are elderly and those suffering various ailments. on the other hand, people are also using alternative energy resources so they don't have to do go to the national grid, because whenever there is a strain on the grid, the power cut happens. that puts a lot of people in difficulties and that is why people are being advised to stay indoors.

is why people are being advised to stay indoors-_ is why people are being advised to sta indoors. ., ~ . ., stay indoors. thank you so much for that update. — stay indoors. thank you so much for that update, our— stay indoors. thank you so much for that update, our south _ stay indoors. thank you so much for that update, our south asia - stay indoors. thank you so much for that update, our south asia regional editor. some breaking news to bring you. following a vote, switzerland has agreed to a net zero carbon law. supporters say the measures are needed to address the issues of climate change, highlighted by the dramatic melting of glaciers in the swiss alps, which lost one third of their ice volume between 2001 and 2022. a similar vote was rejected just a couple of years ago, so it just a couple of years ago, so it just shows how much of a change has happened, and the opposite has happened, and the opposite has happened today. that vote has come through. now let's have a look at today's sport. americans rickie fowler and wyndham clark will head into the final round of the us open with a one shot lead over the rest of the field. fowler could have had the outright lead, but three putted his final hole, meaning he had to settle

for an even par round of 70. in contrast, clark produced this sublime approach at the eighteenth to set up his fourth birdie of the day and a one under par round of 69. fowler and clark are on 10 under for the tournament. just one shot behind them is northern ireland's rory mcilroy, who won the last of his four majors back in 2014. it felt like i played really smart, solid gold, hit a lot of fairways, solid golf, hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens, sort of felt somewhat stress—free out there, if you can ever call golf at a us open stress—free. overall, yes, pretty pleased with how today went, and feel like i am in a good spot heading into tomorrow. i mentioned, out there, after going through— i mentioned, out there, after going through the last few years, and that scared _ through the last few years, and that scared to _ through the last few years, and that scared to fail, i have dealt with that _ scared to fail, i have dealt with that we — scared to fail, i have dealt with that. we are just going to go and have _ that. we are just going to go and have fun — that. we are just going to go and have fun and continue to try to

execute. — have fun and continue to try to execute, leave it all out there and see where — execute, leave it all out there and see where we stand on 18. i felt like i handled it well, i followed _ i felt like i handled it well, i followed it_ i felt like i handled it well, i followed it up _ i felt like i handled it well, i followed it up with - i felt like i handled it well, i followed it up with a - i felt like i handled it well, i followed it up with a great l ifelt like i handled it well, i- followed it up with a great birdie. i felt _ followed it up with a great birdie. i felt like — followed it up with a great birdie. i felt like i— followed it up with a great birdie. i felt like i handed _ followed it up with a great birdie. i felt like i handed all— followed it up with a great birdie. i felt like i handed all the - i felt like i handed all the adversity— i felt like i handed all the adversity i've _ i felt like i handed all the adversity i've i— i felt like i handed all the adversity i've i feel- i felt like i handed all the adversity i've i feel like l i felt like i handed all the i adversity i've i feel like my i felt like i handed all the - adversity i've i feel like my best round _ adversity i've i feel like my best round is — adversity i've i feel like my best round is still— adversity i've i feel like my best round is still out _ adversity i've i feel like my best round is still out there. - play has just got under way on day three of the first ashes test in birmingham. australia will be looking to build a first innings lead. they were 311 for five overnight, trailing england by 82. usman khawaja started the day on 126 not out. he is currently on 135 unbeaten. already there's been a mistake from england withjonny bairstow dropping. australia are currently 338—5. moeen ali has been fined 25% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for

using an unauthorised drying agent on his hands in the first ashes test. on his hands in the first ashes test. max verstappen will start tonight's canadian grand prix from pole after coming out on top in a rain affected qualifying session in montreal. the world champion timed his run to perfection in the final session, clocking the quickest time, just before oscar piastri crashed his mclaren, which suspended qualifying. the rain worsened before the re—start, which meant none of the drivers could improve their times. nico hulkenberg initially qualified second, but was given a three—place grid penalty for exceeding the speed limit under red—flag conditions. aston martin's fernado alonso will now start second and britain's lewis hamilton third. it was a bit tricky, i went to go on the slicks and in the lap on the slick tyres and it started raining again. it was a lot about communication with the team to make the right cause, and i think we did that well today.

this is a good start for us, i think. the most difficult conditions out there, trying to get the temperature into the tyres. obviously there is not any high—speed corners so it is difficult to generate temperature. but yes, i was hoping for more, naturally, but we'll take it. brazil's footballers played in an all—black kit for the first half of their international friendly with guinea as part of an anti—racism campaign. the match — which brazil won 4—1 — was being played in spain, the country where brazilian forward viniciusjunior has been targeted with racist abuse numerous times whilst playing for real madrid last season. the latest incident came in a match against valencia in may. earlier this month, seven men were punished for acts of racism towards the brazilian. finally, thousands of vegas golden knights fans lined the las vegas strip on saturday for their stanley cup victory parade. there was also a rally in front

of the team's home arena to mark the city's first nhl championship. las vegas police had prepared for around 100,000 people to cram street—level viewing areas along las vegas boulevard for the celebrations. the golden knights won the title injust their sixth year of existence, defeating the florida panthers in the stanley cup final. i have just time to tell you that jimmy— i have just time to tell you that jimmy anderson has taken wickets. that means — jimmy anderson has taken wickets. that means australia 338—6. it is the wicket of alex carey. he bowled him and he has gone for 66. you can follow the first test in birmingham on the bbc sport website. that is all the sport. russian president vladimir putin has been holding talks in saint petersburg with a delegation from seven african nations who've called for peace talks to end to the war in ukraine.

cyril ramaphosa in a statement that he released on his twitter page today said that despite that fact he thought they had achieved some of their aims, one of which was to be listened to as a delegation from a region that has been affected by the conflict. he said he was happy to have been able to bring an african perspective to the conversation, and he said another reason why he thought the trip had been so successful was because his delegation was one of the peace missions that had spoken to both sides of the conflict within a short space of each other. but the ultimate aim of the trip, which was to bring both the ukrainian president and the russian president closer to negotiating hasn't really been met at this stage. and do you think the african leaders who were part of that delegation will have another attempt at meeting with either side in due course, or do you think the failure of any consequence from this has closed the door on that?

well, he did say that president ramaphosa in the statement he released this morning, did say that there was the russia, africa summit that is taking place at the end of next month, where leaders from across the continent will be travelling to russia to meet with president putin, and he said that would be another opportunity to re—discuss some aims. i think the sticking point for negotiations at the moment is this idea of territorial integrity. ukraine has said several times it won't negotiate with russia until it leaves the territories, the ukrainian territory is that is occupied. but president putin repeated yesterday something he has also said multiple times, that in order for there to be negotiations, ukraine would have to respect what he describes as new territorial reality. so, the fact that russia has now occupied some of ukraine's territory. so, neither side seems willing

to compromise on that, and it is not clear that by next month, when these african leaders meet president putin, that situation will have changed. hello. well, some of you will stay dry through the rest of today. for others, there is the potential for some severe storms around. got an area of low pressure out towards the west at the moment. that means the air�*s rising, so builds up the shower clouds, add in the elements of some very moisture laden and warm air that could spark off some particularly severe storms. and the worst of these, we could see over a month's worth of rainfall in the space of a few hours. flash flooding is likely with those, to go with it, potentially some large hail and some gusty winds, too. but there will be some drastic variations over short distances in conditions. so not everyone will see the storms. and even if your app shows

the chance for some thunderstorms, it doesn't mean it's a guarantee. these are how they develop across england, wales, northern ireland as we go through the afternoon, there'll be parts of south wales, south west england and a good part of scotland that stays dry throughout, fairly misty to the north and east. humid and the sunny spells. but by the afternoon it's parts of southeast england, the midlands, northern england, north wales and the west and northern ireland, where some of those severe storms will develop, having the biggest impact. and they could merge into some longer spells of thundery rain across parts of england and later into scotland. as we go through the evening and overnight, northeast england and later eastern scotland could see some large totals of rainfall too. again, with that added risk of flooding, still very muggy night in store and temperatures for one or two spots could hover around 17, 18 degrees through the end of the night. now, tomorrow, a different day for scotland, who's got all the dry weather. the north starts very cloudy. outbreaks of rain heavy at times easing its way northwards away from that sunshine and a scattering of heavy showers. the odd rumble of thunder, a bit more breeze and fewer showers than today. so more sunshine. temperatures up a little bit.

humidity levels down, just a touch. but overall, it does stay humid as it will do through monday night into tuesday. low pressure so close by, still a potential for thunderstorms. and this system here could give some longer spells of thundery rain, especially across central and eastern england through tuesday morning. that gradually eases away. but as skies brighten, the temperatures rise to the south and the west. we will see some more thunderstorms develop. temperatures down a little bit. still quite humid, maybe a touch fresherfor some of you through wednesday and thursday. but there's still the potential for some showers and thunderstorms and the sunnier moments. it will get hotter and more humid by the end of the week again.