welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. russia says an agreement allowing ukraine to ship out grain through the black sea has now ended. this was the crucial deal that allowed ukraine to export grain from it's ports and navigate safe passage through the black sea. it has been vital in providing grain to developing countries and stablising globalfood prices. the deal had been due to expire on monday, with the un, turkey and russia holding talks in istanbul on renewing the arrangements — but russia says its conditions haven't been met. the eu has called the move "cynical". steve rosenberg has more from moscow. today, dmitry peskov, the kremlin spokesman said that its decision not to continue participation in the black sea grain deal had nothing to do with the attack on the kerch bridge linking the russian mainland with the crimean peninsula. and it comes really as no surprise.

in recent days, the russian authorities have been strongly hinting they wouldn't continue in the grain deal. just a few days ago, president putin was shown in an interview on russian televion saying "enough is enough." he said that russia would suspend its participation in this deal, until its demands are met. what are those demands? russia has been complaining for some time that there are obstacles to the export of its own grain and fertiliser. that is number one. number two, the russians have been demanding that a russian bank that handles agricultural payments should be reconnected to the global swift payment network. these are some russia's demands. what the russians are doing is saying, "0k, we are pulling out and suspending for the moment". but they have left a way open to go back. they are saying, "as soon as our demands are met, we "will go back to the deal." interestingly, there

were also some comments today from president erdogan, the turkish president, also suggesting that president putin would be interested in returning to the deal, and hopes to speak to him about this. so overfor the moment, but there is still some hope this could be revived. at the time when they came to the agreement, it was seen as being quite a rare diplomatic breakthrough with russia. we have now also seen antony blinken saying things like russia is using food and grain as some kind of weapon. what is your assessment of how russia and the kremlin is using this deal? the kremlin has been accused of blackmail by pulling out of the deal. however, as i say, there is hope that moscow could return to the deal. certainly, from the comments that president erdogan made today, i think there is a suggestion they will be some talking going on today, some strong talking behind the scenes, to try and get this deal back on track.

it has been a vital deal. you are right, lucy, that it has been important for ukraine, because it has allowed ukraine to export its grain safely from black sea ports, but it has also been important for world food prices too, in keeping them lower. of course, a lot of concern that the deal for the moment appears to be suspended, but as i say, still hope that russia could return here. tell us a bit more about the attack on the bridge, because they are not linking it, the kremlin. they are calling it a terrorist attack, though. what else is being said about the bridge, that has always been a prestige project for putin? it has, and i think it is the second time in less than a year that the kerch bridge has been attacked, has been struck and damaged. the russian authorities blame the ukrainian security services, and say it was attacked with naval drones, and for several hours this morning, officials were saying this was an emergency and weren't giving any details. then they came out and

said it was an attack. it is important. this bridge is important for russia to supply the crimea peninsula, but it is also important as a symbol for president putin of his decision to annex crimea from ukraine, nine years ago. we are getting further reaction of russia pulling out of the eu. claims they are weapon icing the hunger of they are weapon icing the hunger of the people. some angry reaction. with me is our population correspondent, stephanie hegarty. how important was the deal when it was struck? it how important was the deal when it was struck?— was struck? it was vital to bring down the prices _ was struck? it was vital to bring down the prices of _ was struck? it was vital to bring down the prices of grain - was struck? it was vital to bring down the prices of grain and - was struck? it was vital to bring l down the prices of grain and food last year. since then, we've seen 33 million tones of grain leaving

ukraine, and why that is crucial is because 64% is going to developing countries, countries are less able to absorb rising prices. in europe, when the price of wheat goes up we absorb it. these countries are struggling to. ukraine was a major supplierfor the world struggling to. ukraine was a major supplier for the world food programme. 700,000 tonnes went to places like afghanistan and ethiopian, where we are seeing famine. it was crucial at the time, and lush we saw high prices —— last year. we had huge increase after covid come a high fuel prices, the war happens. it created this burst in prices and food got expensive. now russia says it is terminating the deal. there has been hope, the turkish president is hopeful they will sign up again. what could

happen if they don't? the important thin is happen if they don't? the important thing is how— happen if they don't? the important thing is how long — happen if they don't? the important thing is how long it _ happen if they don't? the important thing is how long it goes _ happen if they don't? the important thing is how long it goes on - happen if they don't? the important thing is how long it goes on for. - happen if they don't? the important thing is how long it goes on for. it i thing is how long it goes on for. it is harvest time for a lot of these grains, so the global supply is plentiful and prices are low. ego, for example, they have their own supply of wheat so they will be ok for a while. if it goes on longer, we will see the impact. how can ukraine adapt? there are other supply routes out of ukraine, train, but over the last year, they been working to get those routes shored up. it does rely on the ports in 0desa. i been speaking to farmers, they have said 0desa was difficult because ukraine claims russia has been slowing down the process of getting wheat out of 0desa by having inspections, inspectors not showing up inspections, inspectors not showing up or doing it slowly. forfarmers,

the route wasn't ideal, it was much lower. they are keen to get these alternative routes, by train, by boat and rowed, so they aren't held hostage to russia. so as we heard earlier, the end of the grain deal comes after the attack on the strategically important kerch bridge, linking russia with occupied—crimea. russian media says the bridge was hit by an unmanned craft on the water's surface. it also says two people in a car were killed. sources in the ukrainian security services have told the bbc they carried out the attack. these are some of the latest pictures from the scene, showing the damage. the video appers to have been taken from the railway track which runs alongside the bridge. the rail line hasn't been impacted. investigators are now surveying the damage on the bridge. video released by the committee investigating the attack shows debris being picked up. the bridge was temporarily shut last year after it was severely damaged in another attack. stuart crawford is a defence analyst

and former lieutenant colonel in the royal tank regiment. he says the attack deals a blow to the russians. just one of two supply routes that the russians use to maintain their military forces in occupied crimea. the other one being the overland route along the north shore of the sea of azov and into the into the top into the north of crimea. but the current bridge is one of the major routes in and as such, it's always going to be the subject of attacks and interdiction, because interrupting russian military supplies and materiel is all part and parcel of the continuing war in ukraine. and to stop those supplies coming across the bridge is a major blow for russian forces in crimea. and based on the images that we've got and we're showing our viewers some right now, is it possible to tell exactly what happened ? details, as ever, are sketchy because neither side in the war

is too keen to release too much information about how these things happen and what the result might have been. but it would appear from open source material that the ukrainians, probably their naval unit or their special forces unit or a combination of both used up to two uncrewed surface vessels. in other words, naval drones to attack the infrastructure of the bridge and successfully blow up the roadway. although as we know, the rail link is still operating. we're trying to verify what both sides are saying. and the foreign ministry at the kremlin have just released some comments saying that the west is complicit in this attack and saying these drones allegedly used in the attack were of western origin. would it be possible to know that? well, i don't think anyone's going to volunteer that information from from our side. but i would be surprised if western

intelligence didn't help inform the ukrainian forces on how they might go about the attack or indeed what the target was. i would be more surprised if either us or uk or french special forces were actually physically involved in the attack, although we can't discount that possibility. as for the origins of the surface vessels themselves, the ukrainians are well ahead in designing such weapons, probably ahead of some countries in the west already through necessity. so possibly bits of them may have come from the west. i suspect they are domestically produced. now to record—breaking heatwaves around the world — and temperatures in china hit 52.2 degrees celsius in the northwest of the country over the weekend. that's shattered the historic heat record forjuly. these pictures are from what are called the "flaming mountains" in xinjang province. as the name suggests, it's often very hot there.

in fact, it's often the hottest place in china — but temperatures are far higher than usual. across the globe extreme temperatures are commonplace at the moment. europe could record its hottest—ever temperature on the italian islands of sicily and sardinia, where a high of 48 degrees is predicted. the us national weather service has warned a "widespread and oppressive" heatwave in southern and western states is expected to peak, with more than 80 million people under heat warnings. in asia, japan has issued heatstroke alerts affecting tens of millions of people, as near—record high temperatures hit several parts of the country. there have been fatal mudslides in south korea. and china, as we mentioned, recorded its highest temperature ever on sunday. cbs news correspondentjonathan vigliotti brought us the latest of the fires in the west of america. he's near the site of what's been named the rabbit fire — in beaumont, california. as you can see, lucy, we're here in the middle of what's called a burn scar. the rapid fire quickly grew to 7600 acres over the weekend.

fire crews, with the help of very little wind, managed to gain the upper hand yesterday. it's now about 25% contained across the state for a while. fires are currently burning in oregon. to our north. there are a dozen wildfires that are currently burning. much of the west, specifically here in california, looks like a tinderbox this morning. all of this fuelled by the parade of atmospheric rivers. every record review. six months ago, we got a downpour of rain. it led to the regrowth of all of this vegetation. with now all of this extreme heat, it's starting to dry out. and wildfire crews are now warning of a late but a late blooming and potentially explosive wildfire season ahead. so, jonathan, how many people have had to leave their homes? yeah. so far this area very rural. about a dozen or so homes were evacuated at one point with the fire now contained to 25%. a lot of those evacuations have been lifted and most people are now back in their homes. and the same holds true for much of the state.

again, the wind here playing a critical role. there were no red flag warnings, red flags indicating a high level of wind. and yet with all of that and the lack of the wind, fire crews say it was incredible just how explosive the rabbit fire was. and they warn that with the wind picking up, with the santa ana's picking up later in the fall and of course, the diablos up north near san francisco, the wildfire season could be more extreme in the months to come. then what about those crews that are battling the fires? they must be so exhausted already. and you're saying that people are predicting that the season is going to get worse. how are they all coping? yeah. they've had a little bit of a break this season last year. the wildfire season started much earlier. the same was true for previous years. with that said, some firefighters carrying up 60lbs of equipment.

and this fire, in this case, the rabbit fire, you could see it's very remote burning in areas that are hard to access. a lot of them have to trek in on foot. it is incredibly taxing to their bodies. hundreds of them are still working around the clock here and across the state, the state trying to contain these fires. well, feeling, jonathan, i mean, across the us we're seeing incredible heat and lots of different states. it must be worrying and exhausting for people. very exhausting. i mean, we're in the middle of an extreme weather cycle that scientists say is fuelled in part by climate change. you have extreme weather impacting more than 100 million americans across the country. you have flash flooding in the northeast and pennsylvania. five people were killed. two people are missing in miami. people who are used to heat for the first time ever in the city's history. an extreme heat warning was issued there and that still remains in effect. and then as we heard earlier on your programme in phoenix, 110 degrees plus for 17 days in a row. if it continues for one more day, that breaks a record that was set back in 197a. an update from greece where they

closed the acropolis yesterday in a fence. it has reopened, but experts are saying another heatwave expected on thursday. they are concerned about wildfires because of the strengthening wind. some of those concerns are being realised, because we are hearing a wildfire has broken out near athens, and some of the seaside resorts are having to evacuate. we will look into it, but news that a wildfire has broken out near athens. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's take a look at some other stories making headlines across the uk. people who've been injured in terror attacks have condemned the government's compensation scheme. in a survey carried out by the support group survivors against terror, more than half of those who responded said the process was unfair. the ministry ofjustice says it's

reviewing the support available. universities in england will be forced to limit the number of students they recruit onto courses deemed as underperforming, as part of government plans announced today. the prime minister says he wants to crack down on what he calls "rip off" degrees that don't lead to graduate jobs. labour has described the plan as "an attack on the aspirations of young people". the train drivers' union aslef has announced a third ban on working overtime, which will see fresh disruption on railways. drivers will refuse to work overtime for six days from mondayjuly 3ist. it comes as the union begins its second overtime ban in three weeks in a dispute about pay, jobs and conditions. you're live with bbc news. now, this week bbc news is taking a closer look at artificial intelligence, with a special line—up of programming about the opportunities — and dangers — that al poses. well, the uk's first ever "ai tsar" has been appointed to manage

those risk and rewards. dr cecilia rikap is a lecturer in international political economy science and technology at city, university of london, with a partiular interest in tech giants and ai. very good to see you. a big intro for this new star in the uk, looking at al. what do you think his number one priority should be? i at al. what do you think his number one priority should be?— one priority should be? i think the number one _ one priority should be? i think the number one priority _ one priority should be? i think the number one priority should - one priority should be? i think the number one priority should be - one priority should be? i think the number one priority should be to l number one priority should be to discuss what type of ai we want and for whom. discuss what type of ai we want and forwhom. let discuss what type of ai we want and for whom. let me give you example because that is a lot of discussion about the future of labour related to ai, and actually the threat of losing jobs is not already said, it depends on the economic decisions. thinking about health care, we can think of an ai that helps decisions and health care workers in general,

making theirjobs less stressful, for improving diagnostic security. instead it ai replaces those workers, what will happen that not only will we see more unemployment, but we will be witnessing a situation where health care becomes less accurate. but health care will be the result, because as every health worker knows, doing theirjob is notjust about processing and remembering everything in books, in which the way ai learns. if we think about the future of labour, even if newjobs about the future of labour, even if new jobs are about the future of labour, even if newjobs are created, those jobs, it is not a doctor can be a data scientist tomorrow. we need to think about what ai we want and then the future of labour and jobs we want, we need more education, and it needs to be public and free and people should have the chance to decide

what to study and afterwards to have more opportunities on what they can work on. this is a must because today the type of ai being produced is already being decided. it has been answered, the answers are given by a few big us tech companies, which are setting the narrative, the ways in which we think of ai. if you ask anyone about al, they will say it is a technology which replaces human intelligence. instead of thinking about it that, see it as a different way of solving problems. not something replacing labour, but that can contribute to make labour better. one could have this mindset of ai as a similar to a construction crane. we can't lift everything, we build bridges together with labour

and the machines. why not envisioning the same thing? this will not happen unless the people and government at large work together to steer the development of the technology. this is crucial, the priority should be steering ai towards technology that made people's lives a better place and nonthreatening technology, which doesn't risk the jobs of the people, but also helps the future of society. if you think of massive unemployment, the consequences will be less growth. i will leave the discussion on that, but let me say even those who keep theirjobs will see detrimental effects. indie even those who keep their 'obs will see detrimental effectsh see detrimental effects. we had to leave it there. _ see detrimental effects. we had to leave it there. it _ see detrimental effects. we had to leave it there. it is _ see detrimental effects. we had to leave it there. it is so _ leave it there. it is so interesting. challenging the fact ai will lead to morejob interesting. challenging the fact ai will lead to more job losses.

now — on thursday — voters go to the polls in three constituencies across england — in a series of by—elections which will provide a major test of prime minister rishi sunak�*s authority. the conservatives currently hold all three seats — but mr sunak faces the possibility of losing them all after their previous mps resigned from parliament. over the next few days — we'll be in all three seats. and — today its the turn of selby and ainsty in north yorkshire. the seat was held by the former minister and conservative mp nigel adams who quit in the wake of his ally borisjohnson's resignation as an mp last month. labour believe they can prize the seat away from the conservative party despite a 20,000 majority for the tories at the last election. live now to selby, to my colleague luxmy gopal. good to see you. welcome to selby. behind me is — good to see you. welcome to selby. behind me is the _ good to see you. welcome to selby. behind me is the market _ good to see you. welcome to selby. behind me is the market as - good to see you. welcome to selby. behind me is the market as usual i good to see you. welcome to selby. behind me is the market as usual in | behind me is the market as usual in this town, which is in a constituency of around 100,000 people, and overlooking the town is

the magnificent selby abbey which has been the backdrop for some pretty heavy campaigning ahead of this by—election. why does this by—election matter so much? let's find out more from my colleague, richard edwards, the political reporterfor richard edwards, the political reporter for bbc radio york. we've seen rishi sunak campaigning here, and the leader of the opposition keir starmer. why they bring in the big guns? keir starmer. why they bring in the bi nuns? , ., keir starmer. why they bring in the bi nuns? , . ., keir starmer. why they bring in the bi nuns? , ., ., ., ., keir starmer. why they bring in the bi nuns? , ., ., ., . ., big guns? they are going forward how tona. for big guns? they are going forward how tong- for the — big guns? they are going forward how tong. for the two _ big guns? they are going forward how tong. for the two main _ big guns? they are going forward how tong. for the two main parties, - big guns? they are going forward how tong. for the two main parties, the l tong. for the two main parties, the frontrunners, desperate to defend our 20,000 majority. frontrunners, desperate to defend our20,000 majority. labour, look at the prize _ our20,000 majority. labour, look at the prize they've got if they comport. it would be a major statement. comport. it would be a ma'or “amend comport. it would be a ma'or statement. , , ., ., , , statement. given this ma'ority is sizable, 20,000, fl statement. given this ma'ority is sizable, 20,000, to _ statement. given this majority is sizable, 20,000, to overturn - statement. given this majority is sizable, 20,000, to overturn it i sizable, 20,000, to overturn it would be a record for the labour party. why are the conservatives worried? f

party. why are the conservatives worried? j ., ., , worried? they've got to be the favourites. _ worried? they've got to be the favourites, they _ worried? they've got to be the favourites, they are _ worried? they've got to be the favourites, they are in - worried? they've got to be the favourites, they are in the - worried? they've got to be the i favourites, they are in the boxes. the reason — favourites, they are in the boxes. the reason they are worried because if you _ the reason they are worried because if you looh— the reason they are worried because if you look at the national picture, the pressure they been under, and labour— the pressure they been under, and labour trying to capitalise. the conservatives have the geography of the stewed, which stretches up to harrogate — the stewed, which stretches up to harrogate in areas traditionally conservative. in the local elections last, _ conservative. in the local elections last. there — conservative. in the local elections last, there were signs some votes going _ last, there were signs some votes going elsewhere. we last, there were signs some votes going elsewhere-— last, there were signs some votes going elsewhere. we know the cost of livin: crisis going elsewhere. we know the cost of living crisis is — going elsewhere. we know the cost of living crisis is a _ going elsewhere. we know the cost of living crisis is a key _ going elsewhere. we know the cost of living crisis is a key issue, _ going elsewhere. we know the cost of living crisis is a key issue, but - living crisis is a key issue, but for people who don't know the area well, explain how much of a priority it is for voters here in selby. the voters i've _ it is for voters here in selby. the voters i've been _ it is for voters here in selby. the voters i've been speaking to, and it is lots _ voters i've been speaking to, and it is lots of— voters i've been speaking to, and it is lots of them, it has been the first— is lots of them, it has been the first thing — is lots of them, it has been the first thing they've mentioned, people — first thing they've mentioned, people have been feeling aired, critically— people have been feeling aired, critically in the town area. i was speaking — critically in the town area. i was speaking to some voters. a couple of examples. _ speaking to some voters. a couple of examples. a — speaking to some voters. a couple of examples, a woman feeding her dogs

before _ examples, a woman feeding her dogs before herself and husband. and a woman— before herself and husband. and a woman who chooses not to eat unless she's _ woman who chooses not to eat unless she's got _ woman who chooses not to eat unless she's got family coming around. really— she's got family coming around. really sad. the conservatives say there _ really sad. the conservatives say there has— really sad. the conservatives say there has been unprecedented support and intervention for the people who need it— and intervention for the people who need it most. and the direct cost of living _ need it most. and the direct cost of living payments. need it most. and the direct cost of living payments-— living payments. very briefly, if the conservatives _ living payments. very briefly, if the conservatives lose - living payments. very briefly, if the conservatives lose theirs i living payments. very briefly, if| the conservatives lose theirs on thursday, what would that mean for rishi sunak? it thursday, what would that mean for rishi sunak?— rishi sunak? it would be a big hit because take _ rishi sunak? it would be a big hit because take on _ rishi sunak? it would be a big hit because take on hold _ rishi sunak? it would be a big hit because take on hold on - rishi sunak? it would be a big hit because take on hold on to - rishi sunak? it would be a big hit because take on hold on to a - rishi sunak? it would be a big hit| because take on hold on to a seat down _ because take on hold on to a seat down from — because take on hold on to a seat down from where his constituency is. it down from where his constituency is. it would _ down from where his constituency is. it would be _ down from where his constituency is. it would be a — down from where his constituency is. it would be a big blow. we will be hearing from more candidates later. you can find the candidates on the bbc website, along with their pledges. you can watch the results on a special on thursday at midnight, on bbc news. lots of

coverage on the website, so do logon. do stay with us on bbc news. hello. the weather is relatively cool and showery here in the uk, but let's talk about that heatwave in the mediterranean. by the end of monday we will have seen temperatures in the mid—40s in some spots from spain to the central med. tomorrow could actually be the peak of the heatwave around parts of sardinia and also into italy. rome is likely to see temperatures around a0 degrees or more. let's have a look at past records. they have been in the high—aos in recent years and officially the highest temperature is actually 48 degrees celsius in athens in the late �*70s. we could be approaching those values, but not a guarantee.

this is why we've got the heatwave in the south and the cooler air across the uk — all because of that jet stream and that fresher air coming in from the north. this pattern is actually not likely to change for many more days. in fact, there are indications that for the rest of the month it is going to stay relatively on the cool side across most of the uk. today it's a mixture of sunshine and showers. where you see the lightning symbols we may have one or two thunderstorms. today's temperatures typically between around 17 to 22 degrees, maybe a little bit warmer in some of the sunniest spots further south. the weather is going to change eventually tonight and into tomorrow. initially, clear skies across the bulk of the uk and then this next rather small area of low pressure, but with heavy and persistent rain, will sweep in. we are expecting rain in northern ireland, through parts of wales, the irish sea. as this low tracks across this central swathe of the british isles, it will deliver rather a lot of rain to places like lancashire and particularly cumbria, i think, is going to be wet through the course of tuesday.

on top of that extensive cloud, lighter rain further south too. it will be cool across this central area of the british isles with temperatures of around 15 or 16 degrees celsius. better weather in the south, around 23 in london, and actually not a bad day in scotland on tuesday with temperatures in the mid or the high teens. that low pressure fizzles away, moves towards the east. behind it, come wednesday, the weather does clear up a little bit and we are going to have a fairly fresh north—westerly wind, scattered showers with some sunny spells and those temperatures between 18 and 23. bye— bye.

ukraine's black sea grain deal ukraine's black sea grain deal with russia expires, with russia expires, with moscow threatening to hold with moscow threatening to hold vital food exports to ransom again and barley across the black sea. unless its demands are met. vital food exports to ransom again and a big blow for elon musk, and a big blow for elon musk, as twitter loses over half as twitter loses over half of its advertising revenue injust nine months. welcome to world business report, i'm tadhg enright. let's start with the vital food commodity of grain, because russia has supended

its participation in a un—brokered deal to allow ukrainian to export its maize, wheat