hello, i m matthew amroliwala. 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. and in the past hour or so — news is reaching us of a wildfire breaking out in southern greece — to the east of the capital athens. these pictures are coming to us from the village of kouvaras, buildings can be seen burning. animals are being evacuated by their owners. local police are also lending a hand with the horses. 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. earlier i spoke to athens based journalist, daphne tolis, who gave us the latest the authorities have ordered the evacuation of the towns.- the authorities have ordered the evacuation of the towns. these are areas near — evacuation of the towns. these are areas near the _ evacuation of the towns. these are areas near the kouvaras _ evacuation of the towns. these are areas near the kouvaras region - evacuation of the towns. these are areas near the kouvaras region in l areas near the kouvaras region in east of athens, where the fire started this morning, around 12am local time. this wildfire began, and now it has spread over these other areas which are by the coast, most of them. they are around 70,000 residents in these three small towns, but in the summer they get much busier because of the coasts.

many go there for summer holidays, and tourists visit there. there are 150 firefighters with a0 vehicles operating, there are some aircraft flying, but it is difficult to operate. they are near gale force winds at the moment. we've had an update from the fire service spokesperson, and we will have another one soon. they say it is a difficult situation, the conditions are indeed difficult because of the winds, the high force winds. ialbeit are indeed difficult because of the winds, the high force winds. when we are lookin: winds, the high force winds. when we are looking at — winds, the high force winds. when we are looking at the _ winds, the high force winds. when we are looking at the pictures _ winds, the high force winds. when we are looking at the pictures we - winds, the high force winds. when we are looking at the pictures we are - are looking at the pictures we are seeing evacuations in this town, but the tourists more generally, what is the tourists more generally, what is the device? �* , ., the tourists more generally, what is the device?— the tourists more generally, what is the device? �* ., ., ., ., the device? anyone who was around or near these regions _ the device? anyone who was around or near these regions will _ the device? anyone who was around or near these regions will receive - the device? anyone who was around or near these regions will receive a - near these regions will receive a message to evacuate and go to evacuation point so they will be led by the authorities somewhere in a safer area. the roads have closed so

no one can visit or go towards this area because the authorities have blocked the roads in order to avoid more people coming over where there are fires. they will have received this message saying you need to evacuate. if you are in a hotel or summer camp, children were evacuated from summer camps in another area 80 kilometres south of athens. they were evacuated for safety reasons. no one... there is no indication there are people trapped. the fire service spokesperson said. i was told the coastguard has some coastguard boats to remain in the area in case an evacuation operation

by sea is required. that area in case an evacuation operation by sea is required.— by sea is required. that is the situation in _ by sea is required. that is the situation in greece. _ as i mentioned — the us is also sweltering under extreme temperatures and more than 80 million people are 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. temperatures have been high in california. it is miserable being outside unless you are in the water. it is not safe at all.— it is not safe at all. let's hear from tourists _ it is not safe at all. let's hear from tourists in _ it is not safe at all. let's hear from tourists in rome - it is not safe at all. let's hear from tourists in rome talking| it is not safe at all. let's hear - from tourists in rome talking about how they are coping with the extreme temperatures. it is how they are coping with the extreme temperatures-— temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are — temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are looking _ temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are looking for _ temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are looking for all - temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are looking for all kind - temperatures. it is very hot today, and we are looking for all kind of. and we are looking for all kind of water. ~ . , ., and we are looking for all kind of water. ~ ., , ., ., and we are looking for all kind of water. ~ . , ., . . , and we are looking for all kind of water. ~ ., , ., ., ., , ., water. we are young and healthy and i think we will— water. we are young and healthy and i think we will manage _ water. we are young and healthy and i think we will manage the _ water. we are young and healthy and i think we will manage the heat. - water. we are young and healthy and i think we will manage the heat. we l i think we will manage the heat. we have nothing in the bag but water, lots of— have nothing in the bag but water, lots of water and air—conditioning on the _ lots of water and air—conditioning on the hotel. lots of water and air-conditioning on the hotel-—

on the hotel. let's hear from another grouo _ on the hotel. let's hear from another group of _ on the hotel. let's hear from another group of tourists - on the hotel. let's hear from another group of tourists in l on the hotel. let's hear from - another group of tourists in tokyo, because japan said they are concerned about the high—temperature is being seen more often where they are. i is being seen more often where they are. , ., are. i feel every time we are visitin: are. i feel every time we are visiting somewhere, - are. i feel every time we are visiting somewhere, there . are. i feel every time we are - visiting somewhere, there seems to be a heatwave or weather disaster. it is becoming the new normal. very concerned about that, and i think it is a big shame because this is a really beautiful city. we want to be out as much as possible, but with it being as hot as it is, we need to be mindful. 50 being as hot as it is, we need to be mindful. ., , , , mindful. so many places grappling with this. 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. thomas hale, professor of global public policy at blavatnik school of government, says the meeting between the two men is hugely important. this 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? taste key areas they need to be addressing?— key areas they need to be addressin: ? ~ ., ~ �* , ., addressing? we all think there's a lot of issues _ addressing? we all think there's a lot of issues to _ addressing? we all think there's a lot of issues to go _ addressing? we all think there's a lot of issues to go through - addressing? we all think there's a lot of issues to go through but - addressing? we all think there's a lot of issues to go through but at. lot of issues to go through but at the top of the agenda is to of the most potent drivers of climate change. 0ne most potent drivers of climate change. one is methane emissions, which are a powerful source of gases. last year, trying to set the methane target but has not said the number. that is expected to be on the agenda in beijing. the second agenda will be more challenge on the

continuing efforts in china to build energy security by relying on coal, the most polluting sources. thinking about how china can accelerate its goal of facing down emissions. what goal of facing down emissions. what do ou goal of facing down emissions. what do you think — goal of facing down emissions. what do you think is _ goal of facing down emissions. what do you think is within _ goal of facing down emissions. what do you think is within grasp to make quick progress on? the do you think is within grasp to make quick progress on?— quick progress on? the most important — quick progress on? the most important thing _ quick progress on? the most important thing is _ quick progress on? the most important thing is the - quick progress on? the most i important thing is the meeting quick progress on? the most - important thing is the meeting is happening because for the last year, china and the us have not been speaking to each other about climate change or anything else. that sent a chilling effect of the whole world. if they aren't working together, why should the world come together? this is a powerful signal to the rest of the countries, but also to the upcoming climate change negotiations taking place in dubai this fall. that'll be an important political breakthrough to try accelerate action. flit breakthrough to try accelerate action. . ., , �* breakthrough to try 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, so some progress but it comes with a

backdrop of all those areas they've beenin backdrop of all those areas they've been in such dispute about, around security, about all those areas where there has been real contention. is there enough space within that fraught relationship to make progress on climate change? i think what has changed is the us and china both understand cooperation on climate change has a place, but so does competition. we have seen avery major economy when the race for the new green technology. the us has its inflation reduction act, china has been pursuing a similar agenda for decades. this competitive dynamic will be part of the talks take place, but it doesn't preclude the opportunity for cooperating or coordinating on key issues. it will be a mix of competition and cooperation. the fact the meeting is

taking place is an important step for creating the process for greater progress. 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 the un secretary—general has been speaking. this will strike a blow for people in need everywhere. it would not stop our efforts to facilitate any success to global markets for food projects from both ukraine and russia. i want to recognise the efforts of the government in this regard. looking ahead, we must advance globalfood security and global food

ahead, we must advance globalfood security and globalfood price stability. this will remain the focus of my efforts, taken into account the rising human suffering which will result from today's decision. . . , decision. that was the un secretary-general. - decision. that was the un secretary-general. we've| decision. that was the un - secretary-general. we've heard decision. that was the un _ secretary-general. we've heard from secretary—general. we've heard from the eu describing the move as cynical from moscow. let's the eu describing the move as cynicalfrom moscow. let's hear 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.

let me show you the pictures from istanbul, the last shipment to turkey. you heard there, talking about the impact the end of this deal is likely to have in terms of people going hungry. that is some of the immediate consequences that are feared, but that last shipment just padding off the coast of istanbul. news of the expiration of the grain deal comes after an 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. 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 russian investigators collecting debris from the bridge. from footage available on social media we can see there is clearly damage to the road side of the bridge that is visible. here is another angle. this video was filmed from the railway part of the bridge,

and you can see clear damage. so far, what we can't see is how significant the damage is to any of the supportive structures over the bridge. now, where did the incident take place? let's look at the map. it happened overnight on this spot in between the mainland russia and our next crimean peninsula. we know that because we were able to match the verified footage and some other visual clues in that to known archived footage of the crimean bridge. we know the incident today happened quite far away from the side of the october attack last year, and is much closer to russian mainland territory. now, the question that remains unanswered is what happened to cause this damage. the russian national anti—terrorism

committee say they believe at 305 local time to unmount service vehicles carried out an attack on the crimean bridge. these vessels are known as drone ships, and so far we don't have any visual evidence to support this version of events that has been presented by the russian authorities. we have been speaking to military experts, and one told us he couldn't rule out the possibility of the drone being involved, but it said it was possible explosives might have been planted on the bridge by a team of special forces. this is everything we've got for you so far, and we will keep investigating and bring you updates when we can. let investigating and bring you updates when we can-— investigating and bring you updates when we can. ., ,, i. . ,, ., when we can. let me take you back to the main story. _ when we can. let me take you back to the main story, the _ when we can. let me take you back to the main story, the extreme - when we can. let me take you back to the main story, the extreme weatherl the main story, the extreme weather across the world. the wildfires we've been hearing about in the last hour or so, just a latest about the

wildfires from greece. we are being told 1200 children had been evacuated from greek holiday camps because of these wildfires. we were hearing the operations on the ground and tourists being evacuated. just news from the greek authorities, 1200 children evacuated from greek holiday camps. we wait for more detail about where it is and who thatis detail about where it is and who that is affecting, but that is affecting, but outline just being reported on the news agency. around the world and uk, you are watching 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 31. it comes as the union begins its second overtime ban in three weeks, in a dispute about pay, jobs and conditions. let's turn to a really important story.

a drug has been called "a turning point" in the fight against alzheimer's after the results of a major trial were published. the drug, called donanemab, was found to slow cognitive decline by about a third among patients in the early stages of the disease. it still needs to be approved by regulators. earlier, professorjohn hardy explained to the bbc how significant the development of the new drug is. this is now the second drug in the last six months which both removes amyloid from the brain and also slows the clinical decline by about one third. as you said in your introduction. it is great news and the fact this is the second drug tells us this is a way of predictably helping with the clinical futures of alzheimer's disease, and also means now 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? in terms of slowing the pace, tell us more about that. if slowing the pace, tell us more about that. . . , slowing the pace, tell us more about that. ., ., , ., ~ . slowing the pace, tell us more about that. ., ., , ., ~ �* ., that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it — that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it is _ that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it is an _ that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it is an antibody, - that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it is an antibody, so - that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it is an antibody, so it - that. if a drug has the name a b at the end, it is an antibody, so it is i the end, it is an antibody, so it is an antibody, and howard works is the antibody binds to the amyloid in the brain and helps the brain's cells then remove the amyloid from the brain. it is a rather straightforward mechanism, difficult in practice but a rather straightforward idea. antibodies bind to something and then the cells of the body then remove the things to which the amyloid bind. hora to which the amyloid bind. how ruickl , to which the amyloid bind. how quickly, potentially, _ to which the amyloid bind. how quickly, potentially, could this be brought to patients? in quickly, potentially, could this be brought to patients?— quickly, potentially, could this be brought to patients? in the us, the first of these _ brought to patients? in the us, the first of these drugs _ brought to patients? in the us, the first of these drugs was _ brought to patients? in the us, the

first of these drugs was put - brought to patients? in the us, the first of these drugs was put to - first of these drugs was put to approval about november last year, and it is now been approved by the fda. this 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 process in the uk, and that is after safety approval, there then has to be an assessment by a committee called nice, which basically decides whether the drugs are value for money, whether the clinical benefit is worth the amount of money which is being spent. and that will be, i am sure, a typical discussion because the drugs are expensive. given the drugs is

expensive, but it does have a real clinical benefit and will slow people's decline and therefore slowed the rate at which people need to go into nursing homes. that slowed the rate at which people need to go into nursing homes.— to go into nursing homes. that was professorjohn _ to go into nursing homes. that was professorjohn hardy _ to go into nursing homes. that was professorjohn hardy talking - to go into nursing homes. that was professorjohn hardy talking about| professorjohn hardy talking about the significant developments, and we will talk to our medical editor later. eltonjohn has 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. louisa pilbeam reports from southwark crown court in london. two very famous witnesses called to give evidence today. sir eltonjohn

and his husband david furnish, they gave evidence via video link from monaco and they gave their evidence separately. so eltonjohn was questioned about whether he remembers kevin spacey attending one of his white tie and tiara balls he held every year at his home in windsor. sir elton said he remembers kevin spacey attending the ball in 2001. this is important because kevin spacey is accused of assaulting one of the claimants on the way to the ball into thousand and two. sir elton says he remembers kevin spacey wearing white tie and coming fresh off a private jet. this afternoon, we heard from several people giving character references, saying kevin spacey was a good man, he was a kind man. and kevin spacey got emotional in the dark and he started crying. he denies all of the charges against him. we

started crying. he denies all of the charges against him.— started crying. he denies all of the charges against him. we will take a break, and charges against him. we will take a break. and we _ charges against him. we will take a break, and we will _ charges against him. we will take a break, and we will have _ charges against him. we will take a break, and we will have more - charges against him. we will take a break, and we will have more on i charges against him. we will take a | break, and we will have more on the extreme weather, the wildfires in greece. new details all the time. we will have the latest business use in just a minute or two. don't go away. 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—a0s 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—a0s in recent years and officially the highest temperature is actually a8 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.

this is bbc news, the headlines... us and europe swelter under extreme heat. china sees record temperatures. three by—elections across england could have big consequences for british politics. and a big blow for elon musk, as twitter loses over half of its advertising revenue injust nine months. sport, and time for a full round—up

from the bbc sport centre.