president biden meets with sweden's prime minister in a show of support for the country's bid to join nato. us treasury secretary janet yellen is set to kick off her visit to beijing in a push to stablise economic ties. and i will be reporting on cuba where the island's leadership has turned to an old ally, russia, to pull it from its latest economic woes. i'm sumi somaskanda, it's great to have you with us. us presidentjoe biden hosted sweden's prime minister, ulf kristersson, at the white house to hold critical talks about the economy, climate crisis, and his country's bid tojoin nato, which biden said he's "anxiously looking forward" to. the meeting comesjust days before biden heads to europe for next week's nato summit,

during which ukraine will once again be front and center. we are stepping up to protect our shared democratic values including providing security and humanitarian assistance, a great, great deal as ukraine bravely defend themselves against russia's brutality. the un's nuclear watchdog says its inspectors need greater access to the russian—occupied zaporizhzhia plant in ukraine. they want to make sure explosives have not been planted there. it follows a claim by ukraine's president that objects that looked like explosive devices had been placed on the site. our correspondent gordon corera has more from kyiv. the warnings over what could happen at the nuclear power plant has been becoming more intense. president zelensky and his last overnight address said his last overnight address said his military intelligence had seen what resembled explosives being placed on the roof of two

of the buildings there. the bbc has looked at satellite imagery and we haven't been able to independently confirm that. the international atomic energy agency also has teams of experts at the site keeping an eye on the reactor. they have said they have not been able to spot anything but they do still want access to two of the reactor is to be able to confirm what may or may not be there. so certainly we have had these warnings from the ukrainian government, that there is the possibility that russia could stage some kind of explosion there at some point and they are describing that as and they are describing that as a provocation which would then be blamed on ukraine. rush of course is currently in control of that power plant and has been since soon after the invasion of the country stopping the russians, meanwhile, have said they think it will be the ukrainians who will launch some kind of missile attack. now if something does happen and there is no guarantee that anything well, it doesn't necessarily mean that there will be a

release of radioactive material. that is the worst case scenario, something a bit like what security experts call a dirty bomb where there is a release of radioactive particles in the area. it is entirely possible even if there was an explosion that it wouldn't lead to that release because last year for instance there were attacks in the region and artillery shells actually hit that powerplant and did some damage but without causing a radioactive release. there have been other worries about the security of the site particularly from the international atomic in a agency in terms of the calling of the reactor are particularly after the dam was blown up but they appeared to believe that has been stabilised but there are been reports of power going on and off. it is certainly the case that this nuclear power plant is the source of concern but it is not clear yet what might or might not happen. live now to liana fix, she's a fellow for europe at the council on foreign relations. it is great to see you again. experts from the un nuclear watchdog say they don't yet

have any indication that there are minds or explosives that there is site. ukraine is blaming russia and russia is countering with the same claim back to ukraine. what you make of what is happening?— of what is happening? there is a lot of concern _ of what is happening? there is a lot of concern that _ of what is happening? there is a lot of concern that after - of what is happening? there is a lot of concern that after the l a lot of concern that after the explosion of the dam that we have seen a couple of weeks ago, russia might opt for another escalation which would not be a real nuclear escalation but something which would definitely scare the international community, which would scare ukraine if it were to happen. so the concern is justified, the caution is justified, the caution is justified, and the international atomic energy agency is absolutely the right position on the right actor to verify these claims and to make clear, in addition to western leaders who have been talking to russia and have also made clear that any provocation at the nuclear power plant would be an acceptable to prevent such a catastrophe.- be an acceptable to prevent such a catastrophe. what about president zelensky _ such a catastrophe. what about president zelensky who - such a catastrophe. what about president zelensky who have i president zelensky who have

said that there are explosive devices at this plant if that turns out not to be true does that damage has good ability especially among his partners in the west? i especially among his partners in the west?— in the west? i don't think it would necessarily _ in the west? i don't think it would necessarily damage l in the west? | don't think it | would necessarily damage his credibility because he obviously has to look out for all kinds of provocations from the russian side, obviously has intelligence services are constantly looking for these kind of catastrophes that could happen, so at the moment it is seen as caution, perhaps, from the ukrainian side, as a lot of concern but is certainly not seen as something where president zelensky tries to present a case for, let's say western involvement or any kind of further western action in this war so it is rather seen as ukraine, fair in ukraine, and ukrainian precaution. i want to ask you something about president zelensky has said, he was speaking to cnn earlier and he said that he told us and european leaders that he wanted to start the counteroffensive

earlier and needed weapons for that. what do you make of that statement? did the west reacted too slowly for this request for ammunitions and weapons? there is some truth _ ammunitions and weapons? there is some truth to _ ammunitions and weapons? there is some truth to it _ ammunitions and weapons? there is some truth to it because - ammunitions and weapons? there is some truth to it because we - is some truth to it because we have seen the delivery for instance of tanks which are so important, armoured vehicles in this counteroffensive has taken really a long time and until it is, the timeframe from the decision which is made until the tanks and the armoured vehicles actually arrive in ukraine, that is exactly the timeframe that has partly been missing this spring. so the lipid tanks arrived a couple of months later after the decision has been taken, they need to be trained, they need to be used and integrated for the ukrainian army, but at the same time it is also the ukrainian army that was waiting for better conditions on the ground, just waiting for the rain season to pass to start the counteroffensive, in the end we really have to see how the counteroffensive develops in the next weeks and certainly

too early to place blame on any side why the counteroffensive is not going as far and as fast as everyone would hope for. what do you think western allies can do in the immediate term to help boost of this counteroffensive?- counteroffensive? their discussion _ counteroffensive? their discussion about - counteroffensive? their| discussion about further counteroffensive? their - discussion about further weapon deliveries to ukraine, there discussions about cluster munitions from here in washington, dc to be delivered ukraine, obviously the humanitarian concerns about that but there are thoughts how it can be made easierfor ukraine to advance over this incredibly difficult territory that they have to recapture and russia had in contrast to last year, russia had really months to prepare the territory, to mind the territory. they still have helicopters which are really a big challenge for the ukrainian army at the moment, so it is an incredibly difficult task and the west will certainly try to do everything to help ukraine with that but for instance, the

promised f—16 fighter that but for instance, the promised f—16fighterjets will not arrive in time for the counteroffensive, they will arrive only perhaps at the end of the year so there is really not that much that the west can do right now. not that much that the west can do right nova— do right now. and quick final question. — do right now. and quick final question. we _ do right now. and quick final question, we talked - do right now. and quick final question, we talked about i do right now. and quick finall question, we talked about the fact that ukraine is looking for security guarantees at this big nato summit taking place next week, are you seeing any signals that we could see nato membership on the cards for ukraine? ., ., �* , , ukraine? no, we don't see this kind of signals. _ ukraine? no, we don't see this kind of signals. we _ ukraine? no, we don't see this kind of signals. we do - ukraine? no, we don't see this kind of signals. we do see - ukraine? no, we don't see this kind of signals. we do see thatj kind of signals. we do see that there will be commitments made to ukraine, that there will be commitments for long—term and formalised support of the ukrainian army, basically saying, the ukrainian army, with weston creek and is the best security guarantee ukraine has but we have no consensus on a nato perspective for ukraine which would probably not be the case during the war and while fighting still takes place, that those who are in favour argue why don't we give this respect have now for after the war but it doesn't seem to be

the case that there is a consensus, both here at the united states and especially germany are against such a step. germany are against such a ste -. , . germany are against such a ste . _ , ., ., germany are against such a ste., ., ., ,, ., step. great to speak to you, thank you- _ us treasury secretary janet yellen has left for beijing on a trip that will test the biden administration's ability to calm relations with the superpower. secretary yellen has spoken out in favor of preserving healthy economic ties between the world's two largest economies. but, china and the us may clash over the biden administration's push to de—risk relations, which ultimately means relying less on chinese supply chains. live now to our asia business correspondent monica miller. it's great to see you. what do you think we can expect from this visit?— this visit? we can expect a less confrontational - this visit? we can expect a less confrontational tone l less confrontational tone compared to the relationship between the defence ministers which has soured. janet yellen is seen by some as may be a good cop in this situation, to dial down the tensions between these two countries, over the g7 in japan a

these two countries, over the g7 injapan a couple of months ago, they changed their language from the couple from comedy risk the situation, which is trying to set the tone that they are not going to part ways from china but rather work with them, just some of their supply chain issues in some different countries but in a recent speech about us chinese relations atjohns hopkins university at baltimore marilyn she had set a full separation of the economies would be for both countries and it would be destabilising for the rest of the world. destabilising for the rest of the world-— destabilising for the rest of the world. �* , , ., , the world. and 'ust before this tri we the world. and 'ust before this trip we saw — the world. and just before this trip we saw the _ the world. and just before this trip we saw the chinese - trip we saw the chinese government restrict exports on two key materials that are important for manufacturing semiconductors and hong kong's independent newspaper said this is going to be a bargaining chip during negotiations with helen so what is china looking to get here?— helen so what is china looking to get here? the timing of this wasn't lost _ to get here? the timing of this wasn't lost on _ to get here? the timing of this wasn't lost on the _ to get here? the timing of this wasn't lost on the us. - to get here? the timing of this wasn't lost on the us. china i wasn't lost on the us. china sent a not so subtle message to america that they are holding the cards when it comes to some of these materials that are

needed to make semiconductor is as well as solar panels, electric cars, all the things that are really on the cusp and in our lives currently but also on the cusp of what is to come down the pipeline in terms of economics and goods that we are all going to be able to use. so going into this they are hitting hard and also there was a analyst that was saying to chinese government that this is only just one tool chinese government that this is onlyjust one tool in their toolbox that they are willing toolbox that they are willing to use to fight back against the us. now, what the us did, they also put special requirements, there is a licence that companies have two do in order to do business with certain chinese companies and this is really based around some of the semiconductors that are used for military equipment but also, you know, some of the things that are seen as special with intellectual property. so this is now a tit—for—tat in

terms of technology under the trump administration. we saw a tit—for—tat for tariffs and now we are seeing a tit—for—tat and regards to technology and semiconductors.— regards to technology and semiconductors. this is going to be an interesting _ semiconductors. this is going to be an interesting visit - semiconductors. this is going to be an interesting visit to i to be an interesting visit to watch, monica millerfor us, thank you very much. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bringing you different stories from across the uk. 207 shipping containers with fake goods and drugs recovered from more than half. the sheer size, 580 tons is described as monumental. police say this seizure is the largest in uk history. over two weeks 100 officers were involved, backed up officers were involved, backed up by officers were involved, backed up by brand experts and counterfeit specialists. i think it will put a nail in the coffin of the counterfeit good trade as we knew it at the time, so the shops are virtually gone.- time, so the shops are virtually gone. this area of manchester _ virtually gone. this area of manchester has _ virtually gone. this area of manchester has been - manchester has been historically known as the uk capital of counterfeit trade.

this operation is the largest in response. 33 criminal gangs are said to have targeted this area. a single premises can have flaws converted to house up have flaws converted to house up to 18 shops. the containers themselves can also act as a trading point for online businesses. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. for the past few months, cuba has been in the grips of a devastating fuel crisis. people have had to endure days—long lines for gasoline, and widespread blackouts. now cuba's leadership has turned to an old ally to help ease the crisis: russia. cuba reached new agreements with russian companies on everything from tourist infrastructure to much—needed crude oil. the russian defence minister was recently quoted as calling cuba their most important ally in latin america. but some cubans are wary of getting too close to moscow. live now to our cuba correspondent will grant.

great to have you on the show. how are people coping with this in cuba? , ., , _,, in cuba? they have been coping as best they _ in cuba? they have been coping as best they can _ in cuba? they have been coping as best they can for _ in cuba? they have been coping as best they can for quite - in cuba? they have been coping as best they can for quite some | as best they can for quite some time now, notjust this crisis but of course the past decades of being pulled in one direction by government mismanagement and then pulled in the other direction by the us economic embargo. that is a huge strain on the economy and a huge strain on the cuban people. when you put on top of that the downturn in the tourism sector because of the coronavirus it really has become very, very bleak for people so a lot of people are quite hopeful about the role in russia and perhaps helping pull cuba out of its current situation but to be honest when the crisis hit fuel, as it has done recently, then they found their patients was being tested to its very limits. it's hard enough for cuban taxidriverjorge lloro to keep his soviet—era lada of the road. scare parts —— spare

parts are scarce and expensive. but recently, even filling the tank turned into a days long ordeal. over the past month, petrol shortages in cuba became so severe that at their height, the queues at petrol pumps stretch for several city blocks. thousands of waiting customers were organised into whatsapp groups. jorge is number a26 and he'sjust whatsapp groups. jorge is number a26 and he's just been told it's his turn. but at the petrol station, the tanker hasn't arrived and nobody knows when it is due, much to the driver's frustration. translation:- driver's frustration. translation: ,, , , translation: the system is inefficient — translation: the system is inefficient and _ translation: the system is inefficient and ineffective. . translation: the system is| inefficient and ineffective. we can't fill a full tank. we are not informed. it lacks proper organisation and infrastructure. ., , infrastructure. the latest challenge _ infrastructure. the latest challenge for _ infrastructure. the latest challenge for cuba - infrastructure. the latest challenge for cuba has i infrastructure. the latest i challenge for cuba has been in fuel, and the queues at the petrol pumps must be set into context of other major

challenges the island has faced in recent years — in food security, inflation, and electricity provision. it must feel to the beleaguered cuban people like the country simply lurches from crisis to crisis, forcing out an entire generation of young people from the worst economic condition since the 1990s. the root of their problems as a potent combination of government mismanagement, global economic downturn, and the decades us embargo. to alleviate the situation, the cuban state recently signed new accords with russian businesses in sectors from tourism and agriculture to energy. the islands leadership hopes island's leadership hopes russia can provide part of the crude oil which socialist ally venezuela can no longer afford. amid the war in ukraine, though, some economists see closer russian ties as only a short term fix. translation: while they are putting out fires on several fronts, russia is coming in to shore up their unstable situation. the problem is in the medium term because these are not soviet companies giving out government credits, but private russian firms that

will demand a return on their investment.— will demand a return on their investment. after a sweltering da of investment. after a sweltering day of waiting. _ investment. after a sweltering day of waiting, jorge _ investment. after a sweltering day of waiting, jorge was i investment. after a sweltering day of waiting, jorge was able | day of waiting, jorge was able to develop his tank. his lada goes a little longer. like these classic cars, the cuban revolution also days of the 19505, revolution also days of the 1950s, but both are now running on fumes, struggling to maintain momentum without a significant overhaul in the years ahead. the question on the lips of many cubans, then, is will the agreements with russia be enough? will they make a difference to the economic state of the island at the moment? i think there is a sense they could. as we have the contributor in that piece say, in the short term it makes sense that you are putting out fires and have to deal with that, but i think cuba really needs the backing of its socialist ally venezuela who has its own economic difficulties, and they are

looking for other partners, such as the return of lula in brazil, or mexico. but perhaps the obvious partner is russia, even at the time of the sensitive time with the war in ukraine. ~ ., , ., ~' sensitive time with the war in ukraine. ~ ., ~ ,, ., ukraine. what you think russia and return? — asa as a contributor said in that piece, this is not like 1982 or 1976 where they could afford to simply have a satellite nation 90 miles of the cost of the united states and needled the us via cuba. constantly with fidel castro, notjust through fidel castro, not just through his fidel castro, notjust through his backing but leadership. this is a different context. those companies investing in tourism infrastructure and beyond in cuba will want to see some return on their rouble. they want to see money back for everything that they are putting in, whether that is in sugar, rum, orthe major industry stilljust sugar, rum, orthe major industry still just about together on the island. find

together on the island. and what about _ together on the island. and what about where - together on the island. and what about where cuba stands on the war in ukraine? baht; what about where cuba stands on the war in ukraine?— the war in ukraine? baby one of the war in ukraine? baby one of the vocal backers, _ the war in ukraine? baby one of the vocal backers, as _ the war in ukraine? baby one of the vocal backers, as you i the war in ukraine? baby one of the vocal backers, as you can i the vocal backers, as you can imagine. i think the kremlin is very gratefulfor that. imagine. i think the kremlin is very grateful for that. they look at three nations, venezuela, nicaragua, in cuba, and as we heard, the armed forces, the head of the military, basically saying that the defence minister, in russia, saying that cuba remains the most important ally in the region. our correspondent i in the region. 0ur| correspondent will in the region. our - correspondent will grant. in the region. our correspondent will grant. read to speak with you as always. —— will grant, great to speak. now to the race for the republican presidential nomination. florida governor ron desantis spent his july ath in new hampshire trying to drum up support for his campaign. the presidential hopeful marched in a parade in the town of wolfeboro, alongside a group of his supporters. meanwhile former president donald trump nearly doubled his fundraising in the second quarter of 2023, raking in more than

$35 million in cash. with me is robert costa, chief election and campaign correspondent for cbs news1. always good to see you, bob, and we want to take track of where things stand right now in the gop race. we see this picture is of ron desantis, trying to drum up support, and we see donald trump taking shots at dissenters, saying he has no support and his parades are as weak as his supporters at the moment. —— desantis. what has ron desantis�* response been? he what has ron desantis' response been? , , ., , ., been? he is showing up on new new hampshire. _ been? he is showing up on new new hampshire. he _ been? he is showing up on new new hampshire. he is - been? he is showing up on new new hampshire. he is under i new hampshire. he is under pressure to show he has a political coalition in that verse in the nation primary state. the republican race at this early stage remain so crowded in iowa. so many conservative contenders vying for the support of conservatives in the midwest. new hampshire with its more libertarian streak remains a better playing field for ron

desantis, based in my conversations with his allies and campaign organiser. he will want to be theirjuly four, and he will be there again because if you can have a strong trend you have so, they could give him a bruise going to south carolina on tuesday. == him a bruise going to south carolina on tuesday. -- new hampshire- _ carolina on tuesday. -- new hampshire. how _ carolina on tuesday. -- new hampshire. how is _ carolina on tuesday. -- new hampshire. how is it - carolina on tuesday. -- new hampshire. how is it taking l carolina on tuesday. -- new i hampshire. how is it taking the criticisms from the former president? i5 criticisms from the former president?— criticisms from the former resident? , , ., president? is mostly ignoring them, but — president? is mostly ignoring them, but he _ president? is mostly ignoring them, but he is _ president? is mostly ignoring them, but he is a _ president? is mostly ignoring them, but he is a time i president? is mostly ignoring them, but he is a time is i president? is mostly ignoring l them, but he is a time is going on conservative news outlets and speaking to conservative news personalities and talking through his positions. he has stood by his positions on issues such as transgender rights, his conservative position on gay rights, how he has handled the issues in florida. he believes donald trump is vulnerable on the right with some conservative voters but hasn't generated huge traction with his right wing attack on donald trump. most republican voters i have encountered on the trail so that trump is conservative enough of them.— that trump is conservative enough of them. that is an interesting _ enough of them. that is an interesting point _ enough of them. that is an interesting point because l enough of them. that is an i interesting point because we look at the strategies here ron desantis' team last week released a video challenging

donald trump's history on lgbt issues. but we have a poll here from desantis and donald trump is still the leader by some way. ——a poll here from echelon insights. wonder sentences still trailing far behind at 16%. do you think we will see the desantis team team strategy if that is not working? it is hard to change _ if that is not working? it 3 hard to change strategy if you don't have an to go face—to—face with your main rival. if donald trump doesn't show up at the first debate in milwaukee, wisconsin, in august, and ron desantis doesn't have the opportunity to have a foil on stage. by coming donald trump from the right on issues such as the vaccine and how that was handled by the federal government, how donald trump handled his work with

anthony fauci, desantis anthony fauci, desa ntis believes anthony fauci, desantis believes he can win over some conservatives. when you took some major donors and strategies, they say that by doing this as a strategy, desantis, should he become the nominee, it may be making himself vulnerable with some voters who might be turned off by this. at this point he also doesn't want a day—to—day muddy political fight with donald trump because that has its own political cost.— political cost. what is what is in it for donald _ political cost. what is what is in it for donald trump? i political cost. what is what is in it for donald trump? he i political cost. what is what is i in it for donald trump? he has really sucked _ in it for donald trump? he has really sucked the _ in it for donald trump? he has really sucked the political i really sucked the political oxygen out of this race according to his campaign organisers. and even if he has this huge global political reputation and is a major figure, he is elevating that way even being is the same room as his opponents. with donald trump, you can never really ruled him out from appearing at the debate until the day of the debate because he is always somebody who is putting his finger up and listening to his advisers, trying to see where the political winds are moving.

if he feels he needs to be that he would roll it out. he if he feels he needs to be that he would roll it out.— he would roll it out. he could surrise he would roll it out. he could surprise us. _ he would roll it out. he could surprise us, certainly. - he would roll it out. he could surprise us, certainly. he i he would roll it out. he could surprise us, certainly. he is i surprise us, certainly. he is still facing several legal troubles and there was a new ruling on the mar—a—lago warrant today with the judge ordering that more be unsealed from the affidavit.— ordering that more be unsealed from the affidavit. what might? we haven't _ from the affidavit. what might? we haven't let _ from the affidavit. what might? we haven't let another. - from the affidavit. what might? we haven't let another. many i we haven't let another. many news organisations have been pushing for more information to be made public and as a reporter i am of the belief that sunshine is the best disinfection, whether it is dealt with donald trump's investigations or any investigation, the public and reporters deserve to know as know as much as possible, as much as is feasible about what the federal government has learned through these warrants and what they are searching for in the course of an investigation, because the person they are investigating is running for federal office. it is in the public interest. but we're learning minimal things about how donald trump store different documents at mar—a—lago, his florida estate. because it is an ongoing investigation, when you pick up what thejudge has issued, you see many black strips of

colour, blocking out a lot of things, a lot of reductions. so we haven't had that much. a quick last question. are these indictments — i am of the belief that sunshine is the best disinfection, whether it is dealt with donald trump's investigations or any investigation, the public and reporters deserve to know as much as possible, as much as is feasible about what the federal government has learned through these warrants and what they are searching for in the course of an investigation, because the person they are investigating is running for federal office. it is in the public interest. but we're learning minimal things about how donald trump store different documents at mar—a—lago, his florida estate. because it is an ongoing investigation, when you pick up what thejudge has issued, you see many black strips of colour, blocking out a lot of things, a lot of reductions. so we haven't had that much. a quick last question. are these indictments — a few layers this every time — bob costa, always great to have your programme. thank you for watching. stay with us here on bbc news. had your website for the latest.

hello. our fairly unsettled spell ofjuly weather is set to continue through the remainder of the week, really and we're going to be seeing temperatures gradually on the rise over the next few days. but through thursday, some sunshine in the forecast, particularly so towards the east, but also a bit of rain mainly across the north—west of the uk. down to the fact that we've got this area of low pressure approaching from the atlantic, whereas high pressure across the continent is dominating things further south and east. so for thursday, fairly fresh starts the best of the sunshine will be for eastern scotland, eastern and southern parts of england and into wales, but cumulus cloud builds through the day and that will just bring the odd shower mainly in the north and the west of the british isles. more persistent rain arrives across northern ireland during the afternoon. it'll be windy here with gusts about a0 miles an hour and temperatures 15 to 22 degrees. don't think we'll see any interruptions at wimbledon today due to the weather, but just a very small chance of a shower in the afternoon as that cloud builds. next few days at wimbledon, hot and humid on friday, thunderstorms and showers possible for saturday and for sunday.

now back to thursday in the afternoon. in the evening, that area of rain drifts out of northern ireland across parts of scotland, becoming fairly light and patchy overnight, but across england and wales, quite a warm, humid night. temperatures certainly remaining in double figures overnight. they're not quite as fresh compared to wednesday night. but what we're going to see on friday as this area of low pressure, this frontal system drifts its way northwards, it'll open the doors for this warm and moist flow coming in from the south. so a hot, humid feeling day for some of us on friday, especially so across england and wales. a bit more cloud and showery rain at times for scotland and northern ireland with a bit of a breeze blowing too, but for the warmest spots we're likely to see 28 or 29 degrees on friday, typically the low 20s further north. now heading on into the weekend, we've got that warm, moist, humid air with us and then low pressure again moving in from the atlantic. so the combination of those two things means we could see some very lively weather on saturday. some thunderstorms possible almost anywhere where you see these heavy

showers and that hot, humid air, fresh airjust returning from the west later in the day. a bit of uncertainty about the timing, location of some of those showers still quite warm ahead of them with temperatures again in the mid 20s. so a brief spell of heat to think friday into saturday, but some thunderstorms through the weekend and they're going to continue the unsettled trend into next week. bye— bye.

to do so after secretary of state antony blinken's visit