us treasury secretary janet yellen is set to kick off her visit to beijing in a push to stablise economic ties. president biden meets with sweden's prime minister in a show of support for the country's bid to join nato. cuba is grappling with a fuel crisis, and is turning to an old ally for help — russia. we'll have a special report. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. us treasury secretary janet yellen has left for beijing, a trip which will test the biden administration's ability to cool relations with the superpower. secretary yellen will aim to preserve healthy economic ties between the world's two largest economies. but, the two sides may clash over the biden administration's push to de—risk relations, which ultimately means relying less on chinese supply chains.

live now to rupert wingfield hayes, bbc asia correspondent. what do you think that will look like in this visit? the expectations i keep quite low because relations between the two countries have low because relations between the two countries have been pretty bad, the worst for decades. we have seen secretary of state blinken go last month and nowjanet of state blinken go last month and now janet yellen of state blinken go last month and nowjanet yellen is of state blinken go last month and now janet yellen is going to beijing, these are trips that are designed to stabilise relations and reassure china. not admitting to a full decoupling and to restart a dialogue between these two extremely important economies in the world's two superpowers. i think it's really as basic as that. this is about sitting

down, face—to—face in and talking, rebuilding some sort of trust, reassuring china that the us is committed to an engagement with china and all sorts of levels but more than thatis sorts of levels but more than that is not very much expected. rupert, janet yellen has come down publicly on the side of needing to smooth over tensions, needing to work together with china. how has she seen in china? it together with china. how has she seen in china? if anthony bfinken she seen in china? if anthony blinken is _ she seen in china? if anthony blinken is seen _ she seen in china? if anthony blinken is seen as _ she seen in china? if anthony blinken is seen as the - she seen in china? if anthony blinken is seen as the bad - she seen in china? if anthony i blinken is seen as the bad cop, we've seen in the chinese state media, welcoming this visit and welcoming her coming, she is seen very much more is someone who is in favour of engagement. she made a speech earlier this yearin she made a speech earlier this year in which she said decoupling with china is not an option, it would be terrible for the united states and china and the rest of the world's economy so in that respect, she is seen as someone who really does want to reengage but she's

not going to be able fulfil any of china's basic demands because china would like to see a lifting of the trumpet era sanctions that were imposed on china back during the trump administration and janet yellen is not in a position to give any of those concessions to china. so again, i think this is a stabilisation rather than any massive breakthrough or expectation there will be any sort of big leap, getting relations back to where they used to be five or ten years ago. used to be five or ten years auo. , . used to be five or ten years ato, �* ., , ago. even if janet yellen is seen as — ago. even if janet yellen is seen as the _ ago. even if janet yellen is seen as the good - ago. even if janet yellen is seen as the good copy - ago. even if janet yellen is seen as the good copy as l ago. even if janet yellen is i seen as the good copy as you said, this visit comes days after beijing announced its restricting imports onto key material is important for manufacturing, semiconductors. do you think this casts a shadow if you will over these talks? , ., , shadow if you will over these talks? there is all sorts of thins talks? there is all sorts of things that _ talks? there is all sorts of things that cast _ talks? there is all sorts of things that cast a - talks? there is all sorts of things that cast a shadowl things that cast a shadow over this. those two materials,

gallium and germanium, which are key materials for making electric vehicles, i think that is the response of china to the imposition of a restriction on exporting us designed microchips to the united states, so that is a big issue between the two countries. there are big issues with the military, with a chinese destroyer crossing in front of a us ship in the taiwan strait recently. president biden referring to president xi jinping as a dictator so there is all sorts of things that are getting in the way of a smooth relation, notjust the big loon incident earlier this year. but i think those are going to be laid aside this week in an attempt to make this trip a success. i do think we will see the end of this trip over the weekend both sides coming out and saying it has been positive and saying it has been positive and good vibes have come out of these meetings.— these meetings. obviously this is a visit that _ these meetings. obviously this is a visit that will _ these meetings. obviously this is a visit that will be _ these meetings. obviously this is a visit that will be watched . is a visit that will be watched closely in the us but also the region, you were there in thailand stop tell a seller countries in the region are

watching janet yellen�*s visit. with interest. these tensions between the us and china have been disquieting to japan, taiwan, southeast asia. particularly here in southeast asia, a lot of countries talk of the need for positive engagement between united states and china because they are just too important. states and china because they arejust too important. i think injapan and taiwan, they are very much more on the us side in being very concerned about a lot of recent chinese movies, particularly over taiwan stop but i think there will be a welcoming on the whole of the fact that the us and china appear to be talking again and the blinken visit on this visit is the first time senior officials from the us have been embracing since well before the covid pandemic began. important steps towards stabilising this relationship.—

relationship. thank you for our relationship. thank you for your analysis. _ 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. this ulf kristersson, at the white house to hold critical talks about the economy, climate crisis, and his country's bid i spoke to deputy secretary general of nat rose gottemoeler about the significance of sweden joining nato. what would sweden bring to the alliance? ,, ., , ., ., , alliance? sweden has already been an extraordinary - alliance? sweden has already| been an extraordinary partner of nato. they have been for many years now, participating in the baltic air policing mission where nato together with both sweden and finland already are members of nato, working together to control the airspace over the baltic sea at airspace over the baltic sea at a time in the russians have increasingly been impinging on national aerospace. it's been

an importantjoint effort and it goes to show how in the partnerships, sweden has already developed this terrific military interoperability with nato which will bring to the alliance. ~ , , nato which will bring to the alliance. ~' , , ., ., alliance. turkey is another nato member, _ alliance. turkey is another nato member, it's - alliance. turkey is another| nato member, it's blocked sweden's accession to nato, accusing sweden of harbouring what it calls kurdish extremists, curtis terrorists. what do nato members need to do to convince turkey to clear the way for sweden's membership is to mark the turks are extraordinary negotiators and the president is no exception, is pressing for maximum leverage at this moment. to be honest with _ leverage at this moment. to be honest with you, _ leverage at this moment. to be honest with you, sweden - leverage at this moment. to be honest with you, sweden has i honest with you, sweden has already done quite a lot to answer turkey's demands including putting in place some new national legislation to control terrorism, antiterrorism legislation and also taking steps to extradite some individuals who turkey has asked for but of course, sweden must respond to its own laws and international legal norms

with regard to extradition as well, so it cannot answer every single one of turkey's demands so i think really what nato members will have to do now is exercise a combination of really reminding turkey that sweden has done quite a lot of heavy lifting already but also what sweden can bring to the alliance and its military capacity and capability. the turks themselves are very good at participating in the military operations of the alliance so they understand what sweden can bring in terms of its military capacity. i want to ask you about one turkish demand. president biden was asked about turkey's opposition upheld a phone call with president erdogan in may. he said he still wants to work on something on the f—16s. "i wanted you would sweden so let's get it done." is about turkey wanting to overhaul and expand its fleet of f—16 fighterjets. will sweden's accession be contingent on

this? i accession be contingent on this? ~ �* , ., accession be contingent on this? ~ �*, ., ., this? i think it's one of the areas where _ this? i think it's one of the areas where erdogan - this? i think it's one of the areas where erdogan at. this? i think it's one of the | areas where erdogan at the moment is trying to exercise his leveraged so because he's been trying for a long time. this is a matter us congress also has some influence on so erdogan also has to address some of the concerns of the us congress but i do feel like this is an area where the biden administration can work with turkey and perhaps also work some magic with congress to get that done. don't forget, turkey was already kicked out of the f-35 was already kicked out of the f—35 programme several years ago because of its insistence on buying a russian air defence system called the s 400 so it's kind of a fact that turkey has already been forced to rely on the f-16 already been forced to rely on the f—16 which is a great aircraft, but not the most modern one in the armed forces. it's a moment i think when the us could exercise a bit of its own leveraged terms of getting

turkey what it wants.— turkey what it wants. there is a critical nato _ turkey what it wants. there is a critical nato summit - a critical nato summit happening next week where support for ukraine is going to behind the agenda and nato members are keen to show unity of course at the summit. getting this issue can be cleared by the time the summit starts? i cleared by the time the summit starts? . . , cleared by the time the summit starts? . ., , .,, cleared by the time the summit starts? . ., , starts? i certainly hope so, there is _ starts? i certainly hope so, there is a _ starts? i certainly hope so, there is a lot _ starts? i certainly hope so, there is a lot of _ starts? i certainly hope so, there is a lot of activity - there is a lot of activity going on right now. four days before the summit begins, they are already in the midst of very high level diplomacy with the swedish prime minister visiting president biden at the white house. there will be meetings tomorrow at nato headquarters in brussels to bring together turkish and swedish negotiators so i think it is really a fast paced effort at the moment. i continue to hold out hope that the results will be good and sweden will be entering into nato. ~ . . , sweden will be entering into nato. ~ ., ., sweden will be entering into nato. «a, ., . ., nato. ukraine has made clear it wants to see — nato. ukraine has made clear it wants to see a _ nato. ukraine has made clear it wants to see a signal— nato. ukraine has made clear it wants to see a signal towards . wants to see a signal towards some sort of path to membership. will it get that signal at this summit? i do believe it _ signal at this summit? i do believe it will _ signal at this summit? i do believe it will get - signal at this summit? i do believe it will get a - signal at this summit? i if believe it will get a good strong signal. i want to just

underscore that nato has been signalling its intentions right along by its support. it's all out military assistance to ukraine and i think ukraine will see signs of continuing nato investment in its fight against the russian invasion. that will be first and foremost. just to jump in, that will be first and foremost. just tojump in, you are saying signals for further investment in security but a signal towards nato membership in the nearfuture? yes, i'm just stressing that in itself is a commitment from the nato allies but the second point is that nato seems to be looking for ways to really tell ukraine that they are on a tractor nato membership and that means i think probably dropping what is the membership action plan which in many cases is really been a barrier to nato membership, when sweden and finland so they wanted to join the alliance, the allies said, great. the alliance, the allies said, areat. �* , ., the alliance, the allies said, areat. �*, ., ., ., great. let's go through without havin: to great. let's go through without having to go — great. let's go through without having to go through _ great. let's go through without having to go through the - having to go through the membership action plan process so if they say that to ukraine,

it's an extraordinary signal. are you concerned about the russian response? i are you concerned about the russian response?— are you concerned about the russian response? i think we have to be — russian response? i think we have to be mindful— russian response? i think we have to be mindful that - russian response? i think we have to be mindful that while this war is going on in ukraine, russia's continues its egregious invasion of ukraine, nato membership is not on the cards but i think this is something that will have to be worked in the overall context of european security going forward and it will have to include where russia sits in that system.— include where russia sits in thats stem. ., ~ . that system. thank you so much forjoining _ that system. thank you so much forjoining us- — some developing news out of ukraine were at least four people have been injured in an overnight missile attack in the ukrainian city of lviv. we are getting these initial reports and will bring you more information once we get it stop it comes as the us nuclear watchdog says its inspectors need greater access to the russian —— 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. 0ur analysis editor ros atkins explains why this plant is so significant. this week, ukraine had a warning. translation: now| we have information from our intelligence that the russian military has placed objects similar to explosives on the roof of several power units of the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. president zelensky didn't provide proof of this, but america says russia is playing a dangerous game and should think long and hard about whether they want to risk causing a nuclear catastrophe. russia denies it's taking that risk. but because of russia's invasion, europe's largest nuclear power plant is in a war zone. the plant is in south—eastern ukraine. before the war, it supplied one fifth of the country's electricity, but after the invasion, russia took control of it. and in september, un inspectors paid a visit. it is obvious that that the plant and the physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times. as well as that the plant has become militarised.

russia is in control. russia has stationed military equipment in the plant, actually within the reactor halls itself. on occasions it is mined the area around the plant it claims for defence. russia claims ukraine has shelled the plant, something ukraine denies. and a few days ago, un inspectors were back saying they found no visible indications of mines or other explosives, but that they still need additional access to carry out further such checks. in other words, they couldn't inspect all of the plant. and ukraine insists that russia is placing explosives and that if detonated, they would not damage the reactors but would create an image of shelling from the ukrainian side. russia dismisses this and has turned the accusation around.

russia also claims zelensky is going to conduct a terror attack on the plant, but it's provided no evidence for this. and as ukraine and russia trade accusations, bbc verify has been looking at satellite images of the reactors. this is from the 5th ofjuly. no objects resembling explosives can be seen, but the fear of sabotage or military damage is real, not least because of the nova kakhovka dam. in earlyjune, it was destroyed. ukraine and its military allies say it was russian sabotage. russia blamed ukrainian shelling, whatever the cause. thousands of people's lives were affected. with issue, there is some reassurance. —— with zaporizhzhia. dr mark webman from imperial college tells us the reactor buildings are able to withstand earthquakes and aircraft impact strikes and that it would take a very concerted effort to damage the containment building and cause any form of radioactive release.

the risk to the reactors may be low, but zaporizhzhia is getting so much attention because the stakes are high. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bringing you different stories from across the uk.- from across the uk. when rechargeable _ from across the uk. when rechargeable lithium - from across the uk. when - rechargeable lithium batteries overheated, they do get really hot. this fire in a house was from a mobility scooter. now imagine a blaze in an industrial factory thousands of times larger. that's what's worrying the mp for basingstoke, maria miller. planning permission has been granted to install an industrial unit at amazing fan, on land between a hospital and a network of waterways that feed into the logon. the site in basingstoke is near to new house—building, and it's not just the mp was worried. the fire service have said their teams would face an impossible choice between protecting the community from a potentially explosive or toxic gas plume, or applying water and polluting the water course here for many years to come. in parliament

here today, the covenant said local authorities must assess the risk, case—by—case, but battery company say they insure new facilities are as safe as possible. 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. earlier, i spoke with our correspondent will grant, who recently returned from reporting inside cuba. great to have you on the show. how are people coping with this innkeeper? == how are people coping with this innkeeper?— innkeeper? -- in cuba. they have been — innkeeper? -- in cuba. they have been coping _ innkeeper? -- in cuba. they have been coping with - innkeeper? -- in cuba. they have been coping with this l innkeeper? -- in cuba. they| have been coping with this as best they can for quite some time now, notjust this crisis but the past decades, being pulled in one direction by government mismanagement, and

then pulled on the other direction by the us economic embargo. that is a huge strain on the economy and 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 that patients was being tested to its very limits. it's hard enough for cuban taxi driverjorge lloro to keep his soviet—era lada of the road. 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 stretched for several city blocks. thousands of waiting customers were organised into whatsapp groups. jorge is number 426, 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's due, much to the drivers�* frustration. translation: the system | is inefficient and ineffective. we're not allowed to fill a full tank. people are not informed. it lacks proper organisation and infrastructure. the latest 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 conditions since the 1990s. the root of cuba's problems is a potent combination of government mismanagement, global economic downturn, and the decades—long 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 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 we are putting out fires on several. fronts, russia is coming to shore up that unstable situation. the problem lies 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. after a sweltering day of waiting, jorge was able to fill up his tank. his lada goes on a little longer. like these classic cars, the cuban revolution also dates

to the 1950s, but both are now running on fumes, struggling to maintain momentum, without a significant overhaul in the years ahead. the question on many cubans lips are one of these agreements with russia be enough, will they make a difference to the economic state of the island at the moment, and in a sense i think the answer is that they could. as we had to contributor there in the peace ache in the short term it makes sense that you are putting out fires, you have to deal with that, but of course i think cuba really still needs the backing of its socialist ally, venezuela, who has its obvious own economic difficulties, and they are looking the other partners too, like in the southern cone, the return of president lula in brazil offers a possibility, mexico, but perhaps russia is the obvious major partner, even at this very, very sensitive time of the war in ukraine. 50 time of the war in ukraine. so what do you think russia is looking for in return here? that's the thing. again, as our

contributor said in that piece, this isn't like 1982 or 1976, where they can afford to simply have a satellite nation 99 miles off the coast of the united states and need —— needle the us via cuba constantly by fidel castro, but this company that is investing in —— these companies will want to see some return on their ruble. they are going to want to see money back for everything they are putting in, whether or not that is in sugar, rum orthe whether or not that is in sugar, rum or the major industries stilljust sugar, rum or the major industries still just about taking over on the island. quick last question, what about where cuba stands on the war in ukraine? , ., , ., ., ukraine? they have been one of the vocal backers, _ ukraine? they have been one of the vocal backers, as _ ukraine? they have been one of the vocal backers, as you - ukraine? they have been one of the vocal backers, as you can i the vocal backers, as you can imagine, and i think the kremlin is very grateful for that. they look at three nations really, venezuela, nicaragua and cuba, and as we heard, the armed forces minister, the head of the military basically saying, the

defence minister i should say in russia, saying that cuba remains their most important ally in the region. ilil" ally in the region. our corresponding - ally in the region. our corresponding will. ally in the region. our. corresponding will grant. ally in the region. our corresponding will grant. great to speak to you as always. a un fact—finding mission has urged iranian authories to halt the executions of protestors, who were sentenced to death for participating in anti—government protests last year. the mass demonstrations were sparked by the death of 22—year—old mahsa amini in september. amini was in the custody of iran's morality police at her time of death. iran called the mission "politically—motivated". our special correspondent kasra naji reports from the un. the fact—finding mission on iran was established some seven months ago here at the un human council. the commission is specifically asked to look into numerous reports of gross violation of human rights, during months of unrest in iran, in the autumn and the of last year. protests that

started with the death in custody of a young woman, mahsa amini, something that led to a movement in iran and even outside iran, a movement that was described as woman, life, freedom. the interim has published its earlier report, the first report, and it says that it the first report, and it says thatitis the first report, and it says that it is deeply concerned about reports of continued arrests, disappearances, torture, killings of protesters, and even protesters, a nd even executions. protesters, and even executions. the commission said that 27 people are on death row now, because of the role in protests taking part in peaceful demonstrations. the commission also said that seven people have already been executed. 0ne people have already been executed. one thing that is causing particular concern is lack of cooperation on the

iranian government's side. the un human rights council specifically called on iran to fully cooperate with the fact—finding mission, but we heard from the fact—finding mission that they had written seven letters to the iranian authorities, and repeatedly asked iran to be allowed to travel to iran, to meet with the iranian officials, to meet with families who lost their loved ones, to collect material, evidence, and get a good picture of what went on during those months of widespread unrest. but this cooperation is not forthcoming. the commission is saying that their request for access to iran has gone and responded to. thank you for watching bbc news. we will be back at the top of the next hour. stay with us.

hello. 0ur 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 so for thursday, fairly fresh start to the day. 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 willjust 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 40 mph, 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. fresher 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 ithink friday into saturday, but some thunderstorms through the weekend and they're going to continue the unsettled trend into next week. bye— bye.