welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start with the 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. some of the most dramatic images are coming out of la palma in the canary islands, where a wildfire has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. and in the past few minutes — news is reaching us of a wildfire breaking out in southern greece — to the east of the capital athens. images on social media appear to show flames burning close to buildings in the village of kouvaras. up to 150 firemen, a0 fire engines and 11 aircraft are attempting to control the flames amid gale—force winds.

several seaside resorts near athens have ordered tourists to be evacuated as a precaution. greece has been gripped by a heatwave since last week, with temperatures reaching 44 celsius in the centre of the country. as i mentioned, the us is also sweltering under extreme temperatures, and more than 80 million people under heat warnings. cbs news correspondentjonathan vigliotti has been near the site of what's been named the rabbit fire in beaumont, california and brought us the latest of the fires in the west of america. here in the middle of what's called a burn scar, the rabbit fire quickly grew to 7,600 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. 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. staying with the us — and california's — death valley — recorded temperatures of up to 53 degrees celsius. this man spoke about what it's like there. it is miserable being outside, unless you are in the water somehow. and it actually not safe at all. these tourists in rome spoke about how they were coping with the high temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are

looking for all kind of water. we are young _ looking for all kind of water. we are young and healthy and i think we will manage the heat. we have a water, _ will manage the heat. we have a water, nothing in the bag, just lots of water, _ water, nothing in the bag, just lots of water, and we have air—conditioning in the hotel. these tourists in tokyo, japan said they were concerned about the high temperatures being seen more often. i feel every time we are visiting somewhere and there seems to be a heatwave or weather disaster, it is kinda becoming the new normal. very concerned about it. i think it is a big shame because this is a really beautiful city, we want to be out as much as possible, but whether being as hot as it is, we have to be mindful. carbon emissions contribute to global warming which scientists say has made these heatwaves much worse. the us climate envoy

john kerry has begun a series of meetings in beijing — with the talks aimed at trying to revive co—operation on reducing greenhouse gases. china and the us are the world's two biggest carbon emitters. beijing has been praised for becoming a world leader in renewables but is also still hugely reliant on coal for its energy needs. live now to thomas hale, professor of global public policy, blavatnik school of government. thank you so much for being here on the programme. this meeting couldn't be more timely, given everything i've taken viewers through. this meetin: i've taken viewers through. this meeting taking _ i've taken viewers through. ti 3 meeting taking place in the baking heat of the beijing summer is critical for both the climate and for the action of these two largest emitters and economies. what for the action of these two largest emitters and economies. what are the ke areas emitters and economies. what are the key areas they — emitters and economies. what are the key areas they need _ emitters and economies. what are the key areas they need to _ emitters and economies. what are the key areas they need to be _ key areas they need to be addressing? i key areas they need to be addressing?— key areas they need to be addressin: ? ~ . ~ addressing? i think we all think there is a lot _ addressing? i think we all think there is a lot of _ addressing? i think we all think there is a lot of issues, - addressing? i think we all think there is a lot of issues, but - addressing? i think we all think there is a lot of issues, but at l addressing? i think we all think i there is a lot of issues, but at the top will be two of the most potent

drivers of climate change. 0ne, methane emissions, which are powerful greenhouse gases, and one which they are trying to address. last year, china said it was setting a target but has not said that number, which is expected to be on the agenda. the second issue which will be more challenging is the continuing efforts in china to build energy security by relying on coal, the most polluting of sources. thinking on how they can accelerate by phasing out emissions will be important. by phasing out emissions will be im ortant. ~ ., ., by phasing out emissions will be imortant. ~ ., ., i. ~ by phasing out emissions will be imortant. ~ ., ., ~ , important. what do you think is within grasn — important. what do you think is within grasp to _ important. what do you think is within grasp to make _ important. what do you think is within grasp to make quick- important. what do you think is - within grasp to make quick progress on? .,, ,., ., , on? the most important thing is the meetin: is on? the most important thing is the meeting is happening _ on? the most important thing is the meeting is happening because - on? the most important thing is the meeting is happening because for i on? the most important thing is the l meeting is happening because for the last year, china and the us have not been speaking about climate change or anything else. that sent a chilling effect to the whole world. it is the largest economy, and they

come together. it is a powerful signal to the rest of the countries and to the upcoming climate change negotiations, taking place in dubai this fall. this will be an important political breakthrough to accelerate action. {iii political breakthrough to accelerate action. , �* , ., action. of course, we've seen a flur of action. of course, we've seen a flurry of us, — action. of course, we've seen a flurry of us, china _ action. of course, we've seen a flurry of us, china meetings . action. of course, we've seen a flurry of us, china meetings in| action. of course, we've seen a i flurry of us, china meetings in the last few weeks, so some progress. it comes with a backdrop of all those areas they been such a dispute about, around security, about all those areas where there has been contention. is there enough space within that fraught relationship to make progress on climate change? what has changed is the us and china both understand cooperation on climate change has its place, but so does com petition. we see every economy trying to win the race for the new technology which will dominate the economy. the united

states has its act and china has been pursuing a similar agenda for decades. this competitive dynamic will be part of the talks taking place, but it doesn't preclude cooperation and coordinating on issues such as the methane charge. it will be a mix of competition and cooperation. it will be smooth, but the fact it is taking place is an important part for much greater progress. we important part for much greater rouress. ~ ., ., ., progress. we have to leave it there, but thank you _ progress. we have to leave it there, but thank you for _ progress. we have to leave it there, but thank you for being _ progress. we have to leave it there, but thank you for being live - progress. we have to leave it there, but thank you for being live with - progress. we have to leave it there, but thank you for being live with us | but thank you for being live with us on bbc news. 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's been vital in providing grain to developing countries and stablising globalfood prices. the deal had been due to expire today — 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". mr zelensky expressed ukraine's desire to continue the deal even without russia's participation. 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.

we will have more on that, but news of the expiration of the deal comes after an attack on the kerch bridge. russian media says the bridge was hit by unmanned craft on the water. it says two people in a car were killed. sources in ukraine have told the bbc they carried out the attack. these are recent pictures. the rail line hasn't been impacted. investigators are looking into it. the bridge was assured last year after it was severely damaged in another major attack.

well video is circulating on social media claiming to show the moment of explosion on the bridge. but our teams at bbc verify have established — that video is old and features an unrelated incident. for more now on what our teams are learning about the bridge, here's 0lga robinson. these are investigators earlier today. from footage on social media we can see there is clearly damage to the road side of the bridge which is visible. this is another angle. this video was filmed from the railway part of the bridge, due can see clear damage in it. so far, what we can't see is any significant damage to any of the support of structures over the bridge. where did the incident take place? we know it happened overnight on this spot in between the mainland russia and our next crimean peninsula. we know it because we were able to match the

verified footage of some of the visual clues of the crimean bridge. we know the incident today happened quite far away from the site of the october attack last year, and is 0ctober attack last year, and is much closer to russian mainland territory. the question that remains unanswered is what happened to cause this damage. the russian national committee says they believe at 305 local time, to surface vehicles carried out an attack. these vessels are known as drone ships and so far we don't have any visual evidence to support this version of events presented by the russian authorities. we have been speaking to military experts, and one told us he couldn't rely the possibility of a drone, but he said it was possible

explosive might have been planted on the bridge by a team of special forces. this is everything we've got forces. this is everything we've got for you on the story so far, and we will keep investigating and bring you updates when we can. the results of clinical trials of a new dementia drug will be published imminently this afternooon at a conference in the netherlands. hopes are high for the drug, donanemab, after its makers eli lilly reported in may that treatment slowed the pace the results of clinical trials of a new dementia drug will be published imminently this afternooon at a conference in the netherlands. hopes are high for the drug, donanemab, after its makers eli lilly reported in may that treatment slowed the pace of alzheimer's by about a third, in patients in the early stages of the disease. sirjohn hardy, who's a professor of neuro—degenerative disease at university college london, has advised the firm during the development of the drug. thank you for being webbers because i know we aren't far away from the announcement. if it is what we anticipate, just how significant is it —— with us. it anticipate, just how significant is it -- with ne—

it -- with us. it is great news, this is the _ it -- with us. it is great news, this is the second _ it -- with us. it is great news, this is the second drug - it -- with us. it is great news, this is the second drug in - it -- with us. it is great news, this is the second drug in the l it -- with us. it is great news, i this is the second drug in the last six months which both removes analyte from the brain and slows the clinical decline by a third. it is great news, and the fact this is the second drug tells us this is a way of predictably helping with the clinical features of alzheimer's disease, and it means there is competition in the marketplace between two different drugs which will help drive the price of these quite expensive drugs down. it is good news in every sense. without bein: too good news in every sense. without being too technical, _ good news in every sense. without being too technical, how _ good news in every sense. without being too technical, how does - good news in every sense. without being too technical, how does the | being too technical, how does the drug actually work. and tell is more about slowing the pace. if a drug actually work. and tell is more about slowing the pace.— about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name — about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name a _ about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name a b _ about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name a b at _ about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name a b at the - about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name a b at the end, - about slowing the pace. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it. about slowing the pace. if a drug | has the name a b at the end, it is an antibody, and how it works is the

antibody finds it in the brain and helps the brain cells remove the amyloid from the brain. it is a rather straightforward mechanism, difficult in practice but rather straightforward. antibodies bind to something and then the cells of the body then remove the things to which the amyloid binds to. haifa body then remove the things to which the amyloid binds to.— the amyloid binds to. how quickly could this be _ the amyloid binds to. how quickly could this be brought _ the amyloid binds to. how quickly could this be brought to - the amyloid binds to. how quickly| could this be brought to patients? so, in the us, the first of these drugs was put to approval about november last and it has now been approved by the fda, so this sort of approval can happen quite quickly. if the authorities are willing. it is a process which has to be careful, because there are safety

concerns about the drugs, but it is a process which can happen quickly. there is a second stage of the progress in the uk, and that is after safety approval, there then has to be assessment by a committee, called neis, which decides whether the drugs are value for money, whether it is worth the amount of money being spent. that will be, i'm sure, a difficult discussion because the drugs are expensive. giving the drugs is expensive, but it does have a real clinical benefit and will slow people's decline and therefore slow people's decline and therefore slow the rate at which people need to go into nursing homes. just a finalthought — to go into nursing homes. just a final thought in _ to go into nursing homes. just a final thought in terms _ to go into nursing homes. just a final thought in terms of - to go into nursing homes. just a final thought in terms of a - to go into nursing homes. just a i final thought in terms of a moment like this, it is a step closer to a

cure to stopping it, as opposed to slowing it. cure to stopping it, as opposed to slowin: it. . , cure to stopping it, as opposed to slowin: it. ., , ~ , slowing it. that is right. as we s - oke slowing it. that is right. as we spoke about. _ slowing it. that is right. as we spoke about, it _ slowing it. that is right. as we spoke about, it is _ slowing it. that is right. as we spoke about, it is slowing - slowing it. that is right. as we spoke about, it is slowing to i slowing it. that is right. as we - spoke about, it is slowing to climb 30%. we want to stop decline. there are two ways it might happen, the first way is we should get better at diagnosing the disease earlier. we think drugs will be more effective if we can go early in the process, and the second is we need to develop drugs which will help with the other part of the disease. we know what we need to do, and we need to develop more amyloid drugs and look at other targets and also get better at diagnosing the disease earlier. i know you are just breaking away from this news conference to talk to us, so we are incredibly grateful you

have spared is your time. i will let you get back there, and hopefully we will talk later t. my you get back there, and hopefully we will talk later 1.— 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. we will speak to a survivor of the manchester arena terror attack. universities in england will be forced to limit the number of students they recruit on to 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 31st. 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. eltonjohn has been giving evidence for the defence at the sexual—assault trial of the actor kevin spacey. appearing by video link at southwark crown court, the singer was asked about a charity event he hosted in the early 20005, which kevin spacey attended. the oscar—winning actor is accused of assaulting a driver on the way to the event. he denies all the charges against him. live now to louisa pilbeam. just take as through what we've been hearing.

just take as through what we've been hearinu. ., , ., ., , ,, , hearing. two very famous witnesses today called — hearing. two very famous witnesses today called by _ hearing. two very famous witnesses today called by the _ hearing. two very famous witnesses today called by the defence. - hearing. two very famous witnesses today called by the defence. elton i today called by the defence. elton john and his husband. they gave evidence via video link from monaco and they gave their evidence separately. in terms of elton, he was questioned about whether he remembers kevin spacey attending one of his white tie balls he held every year at his home in windsor. he said he remembers cabin spacey coming to the ball in 2001. this is important —— kevin spacey. 0ne the ball in 2001. this is important —— kevin spacey. one of his accusers says he was assaulted on the way to the ball into thousand two, so elton john said today he remembers kevin spacey wearing white tie and getting off a private jet and coming to the party. he said he could remember him ever coming to any of the other parties on any other year. his

husband gave evidence separately and he described one of the accusers as good—looking, and he said you could always engage in playful banter with him. this afternoon, we heard from character witnesses, and they were saying kevin spacey was a good man, a kind man, and he got emotional and started crying in the darkjust about half an hour ago. we heard from kevin spacey�*s niece, who said in a statement that kevin spacey, she grew close in a time when his mother was ill from an inoperable brain tumour. she said he was very good to the family, and this point he had won two oscars and was successful. kevin spacey is accused of 12 offences including sexual assault and indecent assault against two men between 2001 and 2013. he denies all of the charges, and the

trial continues.— trial continues. thank you. let's take ou trial continues. thank you. let's take you to _ trial continues. thank you. let's take you to greece _ trial continues. thank you. let's take you to greece and - trial continues. thank you. let's take you to greece and the - trial continues. thank you. let's - take you to greece and the wildfires we were reporting on. i want to show you the pictures coming into the bbc i was just watching, because this area we were telling you about, they've just been... area we were telling you about, they'vejust been... smoke area we were telling you about, they've just been... smoke driving through. i was watching people there at the stables opening the doors to let some of those horses out. this is an area to the east of the capital athens. the whole area gets wet by these wildfires and heatwaves wet by these wildfires and heatwaves we are seeing. i know from so many details being supplied to us, a lot of those areas, you can see just the

flames on the top of the building. 150 firemen in the area working on it, 45 rangers, 11 aircraft, so yet again the authorities in greece being stretched. we are seeing so many screens, we are seeing it in italy, spain were of the record temperatures edging towards the high 405. this is the situation in greece. it is to be ea5t 405. this is the situation in greece. it is to be east of the capital, and a lot of tourists being caught up in this area, some of them being told to be evacuated ju5t caught up in this area, some of them being told to be evacuated just as a precaution. a5 being told to be evacuated just as a precaution. as i was saying, the5e precaution. as i was saying, these are the temperatures gripping greece through this week, notjust a day. we have seen it on the weekend. it is projected for the rest of the week, with perhaps tomorrow singapore highest temperatures with records likely to tumble. ——

tomorrow seeing the highest. animals as well being evacuated, a5 tomorrow seeing the highest. animals as well being evacuated, as they try to grapple with what is happening on the ground. more injust a moment or two. 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—405 in some spots from spain to the central med. tomorrow could actually be the peak of the heatwave around part5 of sardinia and also into italy. rome is likely to see temperatures around 40 degrees or more. let's have a look at past records. they have been in the high—405 in recent years and officially the highest temperature is actually 48 degrees celsius in athens in the late �*705. 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.

story. this is bbc news, the headlines... us and europe swelter under extreme heat. china sees record temperatures. this is the scene to the east of the greek capital athens where wildfires have broken out. three by—elections across england could have big consequences for british politics. more on that