us media are reporting that travis king had previously been held in south korea on assault charges. us media are reporting that travis king had previously been held in south korea on assault charges. us officials say he made it across the demilitarized zone between north and south korea while on a tour of the border. commonly known as the dmz, the area is one of the most heavily fortified in the world. king was reportedly being escorted back to the us for disciplinary reasons before he turned around at the airport and joined the tour. a witness said he saw the soldier laughing while running across the north korean border. united states secretary of defence lloyd austin gave a briefing at the pentagon earlier. we believe he is in dprk custody, so we are continuously monitoring and working to notify the soldier's next of kin and engaging to address this incident. in terms of my concerns, i am absolutely for most concerned about

the welfare of our troop, so we will remain focused about this and, again, this will develop in the next several days now. our correspondent, sean dilley, was at that briefing at the pentagon. here's his reaction. i would say where no closer to understanding what might have motivated the individual to cross into north korea. the pentagon very much saying as much and as little as you would expect them to. when we heard from mr austin, secretary of state for defence, he said their foremost concern is for his welfare, which has been echoed by the state department in their several statements. at this moment the two departments are working in collaboration, but defence and the pentagon are those directly in touch or co—ordinating efforts with the north koreans because they believe, they said, that he is in their custody at the moment. looking at the situation from above, you know, what might have motivated him to cross there is still rather unresolved and whether he still

wishes to be there. you can bet us authorities and pentagon officials will be working on doing all they can to secure his release, hoping thatis a short time, not a long one. i spoke with sue mi terry about the soldier's situation. she served as a senior analyst on korean issues for the cia. i asked if the fact that mr king is a soldier makes him different from detainees we've seen in the past. i think ithink so, i think so, not only that he is a soldier but because he voluntarily defected. it is a bit of a different story, north koreans, they are keeping him, right? this is a different story where he may not want to go back. i'm not sure how this negotiation will unfold. also, the us and north korea are completely at an impasse. there has not been a dialogue whatsoever for the last several years, since the deterioration

of the summit, north koreans are expanding their nuclear missiles arsenal, there are some 70 tests last year, missile tests, 30 tests, they are modernising their arsenal, there is no talk between the us and north korea. so i am not sure things will unfold from here. , ., ., sure things will unfold from here. , . ., ., here. given that background, do we know how — here. given that background, do we know how he _ here. given that background, do we know how he would - here. given that background, do we know how he would be - here. given that background, do we know how he would be in - we know how he would be in north korea? it we know how he would be in north korea?— north korea? it depends because. _ north korea? it depends because, again, - north korea? it depends because, again, he - north korea? it depends - because, again, he voluntarily defected. perhaps they can use them as a propaganda, to say that he may not be treated that badly as others for example because he would be able to safely goes around and says really negative things the us, they can sort of showcase him as somebody that is good for their propaganda, may they will treat him a little bit better. normally, they do not treat americans very well. we know what happened to 0tto warmbier

not and this is a unusual situation and that is different from other americans who are detained in north korea. congressman seth moulton has also weighed in on the us soldier's case and emphasized the urgency here in washington to get mr king released. we should get him back. this is a soldier who had disciplinary problems to begin with. apparently that is how this all started, but this is a very, very bad thing to do. it puts at risk not only his life but the lives of other americans. and we'll have more of that interview with congressman moulton speaking about artificial intelligence on the battlefield later in the show. the ukrainian port city of 0desa has come under attack for a second straight night. air defence systems were engaged to repel the strikes in the early hours. the region's governor urged residents to stay indoors. it comes a day after russian rockets and drones damaged part of the port's infrastructure and a number of private homes.

0desa is one of ukraine's main ports for exporting grain, which we'll be talking more about in just a moment. the latest attacks also come as one of ukraine's top generals tells the bbc that his country's counter—offensive against russia is not progressing as quickly as hoped. ukraine says that since it launched its counter—offensive in earlyjune, it has taken back more than 81 square miles of land. but russia still holds vast amounts of territory. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, has been to the front line near bakmut in eastern ukraine — to see how ukrainian troops are trying to advance. the bloody battle for bakhmut isn't over. the city is now held by the russians, but we travelled with ukrainian forces who are trying to take it back. their advance is still slow, and meeting resistance. again. explosion.

they try to fire back with their finnish—supplied mortar, but even western weapons can occasionally malfunction. explosion. that was a russian shell landing. their positions are just about three kilometres away from here. last time i was near here, two months ago, it was the ukrainians losing ground and in danger of being surrounded. now, it's the other way round. this is the bunker from where ukraine's coordinating the offensive on bakhmut, with a constant live feed from dozens of drones. the commander admits they're suffering losses, but not on the same scale as the russians. translation: we've taken the initiative. l the enemy is bringing in troops and wants to escape the trap. but they're in trouble. bakhmut could be encircled.

ukraine is using all it can to break the russian defences... ..from the ground... ..and from the air. but it's still outgunned, and having to spread its limited resources on several fronts. but it will soon have a new weapon — us—supplied cluster bombs, fired from these same american howitzers. this gun, will you use cluster munitions in this gun? yes, yes. you will? yes. and will you have any concerns? in the field, no. on the town, i have forbidden for this, because it's not humane. oleksandr syrskyi is the general in charge of all military operations in the east. this is a command vehicle, yes? yeah.

the mastermind behind the defence of kyiv and the successful offensive in kharkiv. unlike many russian commanders, he's lionized by his troops, and now his eyes are firmly set on retaking bakhmut. and you will take it back, bakhmut? yes, of course — i try to do it. the offensive has been going on for more than a month now. even president zelensky has said it is slower than ukraine had hoped for. is that true? translation: we would i like to get very fast results, but in reality, it's practically impossible. this entire area is well prepared with defences, so all advances are not going as fast as we would like. so far, the advances have only been modest. most of the front remains relatively static.

these ukrainian trench lines in the east haven't budged since 2014. ukraine has still to commit all its forces, but it's yet to break through russia's heavily mined main lines of defence. jonathan beale, bbc news, eastern ukraine. ukraine and russia are also facing off in another theatre: the black sea. on monday, russia pulled out of the black sea grain deal — an agreement that's been crucial for stabilizing globalfood prices. that's because ukraine is one of the world's largest exporters of key crops, such as wheat and barley. when russia invaded last year, it's naval blockade trapped 20 million tonnes of grain in the black sea's ports. global food prices skyrocketed. about four months later, the un and turkey brokered the black sea grain deal, bringing food prices down by around 20%. with russia no longer in the deal, there are concerns that food prices will soar once again.

live now to isobel coleman, deputy administrator at us—aid. i want to start with the news that there are russian attacks in 0desa, one of the main ports for exporting grain. how critical is this to the food supply? critical is this to the food su -l ? ~ critical is this to the food su .l ? . critical is this to the food su . .l ? . , ., ., supply? well, 0desa and the black sea — supply? well, 0desa and the black sea are _ supply? well, 0desa and the black sea are very _ supply? well, odesa and the black sea are very critical- supply? well, 0desa and the black sea are very critical forj black sea are very critical for food security. you have two big bread baskets, russia and ukraine, who both use the red sea —— black sea, and use that for wheat and grains and oils through the black sea and 0desa is one of ukraine's major ports. it has been operating at less than 15% capacity since russia invaded and that has only been because that 15% has

been what they have been able to get out with the black sea initiative, which you mention, russia has now pulled out of. this is a very, very serious situation for world food security as so many people depend on ukrainian grain exports around the world and ukraine tends to have less expensive grains to export, and it goes to some of the poorest countries in the world. the horn of africa, countries in the middle east, yemen, afghanistan, all dependent on ukrainian export. we afghanistan, all dependent on ukrainian export.— afghanistan, all dependent on ukrainian export. we saw the us -a~ledin ukrainian export. we saw the us pledging s250 — ukrainian export. we saw the us pledging $250 million _ ukrainian export. we saw the us pledging $250 million 2-page i pledging $250 million 2—page aid forfarmers dealing pledging $250 million 2—page aid for farmers dealing with the effects of the blockade but we could see yet another shock to global food supply with this disruption, with russia ending its participation in the deal but russia could work with its allies to make sure the grain and food products still reach global food and food products still reach globalfood markets. our can

global food markets. our can that globalfood markets. our can that be done? we globalfood markets. our can that be done?— that be done? we are doing everything _ that be done? we are doing everything we _ that be done? we are doing everything we can, - that be done? we are doing everything we can, we - that be done? we are doing everything we can, we and. that be done? we are doing i everything we can, we and the europeans working together, to have alternative ribs for ukraine to be able to export crops — at alternative routes, poland, romania, using the danube, out through the remaining imports and trying everything we can to be able to keep some of the food exports flowing but it is not easy. it is not a replacement for the black sea, which offered big shipping at in a much more expedited way and at a lower cost at the other routs but the other routs in the past year have increased availability to get exports from ukraine out and we have seen up to 4000% increases from a pretty low level, a year ago, to over a couple of million tons a month now coming out through these,

danube and overland routes through poland.— danube and overland routes through poland. that is pretty significant. — through poland. that is pretty significant, and _ through poland. that is pretty significant, and i _ through poland. that is pretty significant, and i want - through poland. that is pretty significant, and i want to - through poland. that is pretty significant, and i want to ask| significant, and i want to ask about the humanitarian funding, with the announcement of additionalfunding to with the announcement of additional funding to the ukrainian people, which includes drinking water, where the supplies most needed in ukraine? ., , ., ., ukraine? certainly on the front lines and in — ukraine? certainly on the front lines and in the _ ukraine? certainly on the front lines and in the eastern - ukraine? certainly on the front lines and in the eastern part i lines and in the eastern part of the and around buck malt and around zaporizhzhia and the eastern parts of the fighting areas where russia blew up the dam and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, cities like car key that have been badly damaged and even places like 0desa that have not been able to rebuild, there is constant bombing and shelling

and attacks on civilian infrastructure, on energy and water, so really all over the country but particularly in the east. these constable rogers. how difficult will be to get the supplies these areas? there are constant barrages _ supplies these areas? there are constant barrages but _ supplies these areas? there are constant barrages but the - supplies these areas? there are constant barrages but the good | constant barrages but the good news is ukrainians now have a defences that are helping enormously to protect civilians. of the damage that occurred in 0desa was debris falling from those air defences. many of the muscles have been shot down. over the past year plus we have been able to move a lot of supplies towards the east of the country towards the east of the country to get them quickly to where people need them, where there are these attacks. of course, there are also attacks the centre of the country on kyiv, evenin centre of the country on kyiv, even in the west of the country and lviv, we see russia

attacking many different cities. there is easy access to get supplies. cities. there is easy access to get sunplies-_ get supplies. one final question. _ get supplies. one final question, why - get supplies. one final question, why do - get supplies. one final question, why do you i get supplies. one final - question, why do you think it is important is aid continues to flow as the war is going on? i think the economic aid is just as important as the military aid. it allows ukraine to keep functioning as a government to be delivering services to its people. the supplies we have provided have allowed the likes to sail to keep the energy going for them even as russia has maliciously attacked civilian infrastructure hospitals to keep working and first responders to be able to meet the needs of the ukrainian people all across the country as they are making the ultimate sacrifice in fighting this war. this brittle invasion of their own country. this brittle invasion of their own country-— this brittle invasion of their own count . ., ~ . own country. thank you so much forjoining _ own country. thank you so much forjoining us— own country. thank you so much forjoining us on _ own country. thank you so much forjoining us on bbc— own country. thank you so much forjoining us on bbc news. - forjoining us on bbc news. thank you. around the world

and across the uk. this is bbc news. bringing you different stories from across the uk. the government confirmed they wanted to go through plans to close all together was on rivers. there is huge concern. and a lot of rail stations, they are the only place with healing is sought. a or hiding people, there is no where you can go wreaking connect to the hearing loop. can go wreaking connect to the hearing leap-— hearing loop. other disability urou -s hearing loop. other disability grouns fenr _ hearing loop. other disability grouns fenr if _ hearing loop. other disability groups fear if stations - hearing loop. other disability groups fear if stations are - hearing loop. other disability| groups fear if stations are not mandatory, it could put off until people from travelling. the real delivery group which operates train companies say more passengers than ever are buying their tickets online. these proposals are all about moving people who currently sit behind a glass window in the ticket office out onto the station concourse so they can better meet the needs. the consultation _ better meet the needs. the consultation over _ better meet the needs. the consultation over ticket office changes is already under way. all packages are being urged to take part.

for more stories across the uk, head _ for more stories across the uk, head to — for more stories across the uk, head to the _ for more stories across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. millions of people in asia, europe and the us are facing red alerts and extreme weather as record—breaking heatwaves continue and wildfires rage. here in the us, the city of phoenix arizona broke a 49—year—old record tuesday, hitting 19 consecutive days of temperatures at 110 degrees farenheit or higher, that's 43 degrees celsius. 80 million people in are under advisories for a widespread and oppressive heatwave. in europe, tourists and locals are trying to escape the heat, flocking to the beach. the record—breaking temperatures are driven by a combination of climate change and the return of a weather pattern called el nino. the un warned that these hot temperatures can lead to health problems. our sofia bettiza is in sicily with more. it has been extremely hot here in sicily for the last few days. this is where, two years ago, the highest temperature in europe was recorded.

it was 48.8 celsius, and it could be exceeded in the next few days. now, italians are used to hot summers, but not this hot, especially if you take into account the fact that these consecutive heatwaves have come very suddenly. and they are having an impact on people's health. several hospitals here in palermo are seeing a rise in the number of patients that are being admitted because of health problems caused by the heat. 20 cities in italy are under a red alert warning, and that number is going to go up to 23 cities on wednesday. now, this heatwave could continue for the next ten days in some parts of the country, and that's why the authorities here are urging people to be extremely careful. leaders in artificial intelligence came before congress here in washington today to talk about

the critical roll ai can play on the battlefield. a house armed services subcommittee heard testimony on the risks and barriers the us department of defence faces in adopting and deploying the technology. they discussed how china is developing ai for its own military use. earlier, i spoke with massachusetts congressman seth moulton, who sits on the committee. great to have you back on the show. when he spoke to you last time, you expressed hope congress could move quickly to prevent some of the dangerous uses of ai in warfare. some of the worst scenarios for that congress is closer to doing that? ., . ., , ~ , that? to clarify, i think it is that? to clarify, i think it is that congress _ that? to clarify, i think it is that congress should - that? to clarify, i think it is that congress should focus | that? to clarify, | think it is - that congress should focus on, they should move quickly on anything for them a basic argument is because congress moves to slow these days, when not going to be able to regulate the whole ai industry very effectively. we won't be able to keep up with the pace of technological change. we should do is focus on the most

dangerous cases. some of these educators like using ai in warfare. this is a place where i do think we should focus our efforts and frankly, no, we're not really quickly enough. there was this giving today and concerns about the us rivals pulling ahead. alexander wang, the ceo of the company scale ai testified in the hearing and was asked about where china stands on its investment in the use of ai in warfare. this is what he said. he use of ai in warfare. this is what he said.— use of ai in warfare. this is what he said. he compares a percentage _ what he said. he compares a percentage of _ what he said. he compares a percentage of their - what he said. he compares a percentage of their overall . percentage of their overall military investment, the pla is spending somewhere between i%-2% of spending somewhere between i%—2% of their overall budget into artificial intelligence where security is spending somewhere between .i% and 2.2% budget for al. that somewhere between .1% and 2.2% budget for al— budget for al. at the us military _ budget for al. at the us military formed - budget for al. at the us military formed behind l budget for al. at the us - military formed behind china in this field? ~ �* ., military formed behind china in thisfield? �* ., ., , this field? we're not actually behind in _ this field? we're not actually behind in terms _ this field? we're not actually behind in terms of _ this field? we're not actually behind in terms of results i this field? we're not actually| behind in terms of results but we behind in terms of upfront investment. that is an important measure of where we're to be in the future. i

heard yours were equal in china and investment spending, spending i%2% of the overall budget, i would think that is way too low because of the importance ai is going to have in our world importance ai is going to have in ourworld and importance ai is going to have in our world and sadly in warfare as well. in the future. i think the fact that we are not given at that level, china so far ahead of us is a real problem. something we need to change. problem. something we need to chance. , ., ., change. tell us about some of the uses in — change. tell us about some of the uses in warfare _ change. tell us about some of the uses in warfare that - change. tell us about some of the uses in warfare that worry| the uses in warfare that worry you the most. brute the uses in warfare that worry you the most-— the uses in warfare that worry you the most. we heard some of these doomsday _ you the most. we heard some of these doomsday scenarios - you the most. we heard some ofj these doomsday scenarios where a computer can take over, were computer can literally start doing things we don't want it to do. that is not out of the realm of possibility. in the short term, you have to imagine weapon systems used by our adverse areas that don't have the guard rails we put in place whenever we go to war. limiting collateral damage. limiting civilian casualties. look the way flat recruiting story about this worker doesn't care about

collateral damage, doesn't care about severely because industry money bombing shelters in ukrainian neighbourhoods. if you were given ai enabled weapons, he would not put any guardrails into place at all. that is what is so concerning about this. i am not so focused on what united states and our allies need to do because i think we're going to apply the same moral principles to using ai in warfare that we apply to other weapon systems. what really concerns me is what autocrats like vladimir putin and xijinping might do with this technology. in and xi jinping might do with this technology.— this technology. in hearing toda , this technology. in hearing today, alexander - this technology. in hearing today, alexander wang - this technology. in hearing i today, alexander wang added this technology. in hearing - today, alexander wang added he thinks the discussions about al are about something far more fundamental than warfare. this is what he said.— is what he said. artificial intelligence _ is what he said. artificial intelligence is _ is what he said. artificial intelligence is incredibly| intelligence is incredibly powerful technology that underpins nearly everything we do on _ underpins nearly everything we do on economic and military standpoint. therefore it is criticai— standpoint. therefore it is critical presentation, not only how— critical presentation, not only how we — critical presentation, not only how we protect our citizens from — how we protect our citizens from the _ how we protect our citizens from the list of artificial intelligence but also protect

our ideologies and democracies by continuing to be leaders. what — by continuing to be leaders. what you make of that? i think he hits the _ what you make of that? i think he hits the nail— what you make of that? i think he hits the nail on _ what you make of that? i think he hits the nail on the - what you make of that? i think he hits the nail on the head. i he hits the nail on the head. this could be that progressive technology which by the will to a lot of good for the world. it is going to dramatically and advanced cath therapies, it will lengthen our lives because of the medical advancements ai makes possible for them it will be a great thing in a lot of ways. if we don't focus on regulating and protecting against his most dangerous uses of ai, then it cannot only hurt us, it can literally change the way we govern ourselves. it can change the values of our society. it could give a leg up to autocrats like xi jinping who are notjust practising autocracy at home in china but trying to exploit it across the globe. trying to exploit it across the lobe. ., trying to exploit it across the tlobe. ., ., ,, trying to exploit it across the lobe. ., ., , , ., , globe. you happen hearing these hearinus, globe. you happen hearing these hearings, what _ globe. you happen hearing these hearings, what you _ globe. you happen hearing these hearings, what you think - globe. you happen hearing these hearings, what you think can - globe. you happen hearing these hearings, what you think can be l hearings, what you think can be donein hearings, what you think can be done in terms of legislation and congress? i done in terms of legislation and congress?— done in terms of legislation and concress? ~ ., and congress? i like to compare the ai revolution _ and congress? i like to compare the ai revolution to _ and congress? i like to compare the ai revolution to the - the ai revolution to the nuclear revolution for that we

developed the atomic bomb during world war ii. it had remarkably destructive power but also has found a tremendous positive good use. cancer therapy, civilian nuclear power, these are very good things. we did two things after world war ii, established bodies like the nuclear regulatory commission for domestic regulation of this technology so we don't have a nuclear accident. we also established international frameworks for arms control and to prevent nuclear proliferation. we have to do both here as well. when you hear talk in washington today, a lot of domestic legislation. the analogy to that nuclear regulatory commission to govern how ai is used at home. i think even more important in developing the international frameworks. i called for geneva convention the use of ai will regulate notjust how we use it or how our allies use it, but how our adverse areas is as well. —— adverse areas. how our adverse areas is as

well. -- adverse areas. thank ou well. -- adverse areas. thank you very _ well. -- adverse areas. thank you very much- _ thank you for watching bbc news. stay with us. hello. for many of us, tuesday was decidedly cool for a july day thanks to a lot of clouds and some outbreaks of rain. that was the scene for a weather watcher in belfast. there were plenty of places that hello. for many of us, tuesday was decidedly cool for a july this is the dividing line, the jet stream, the winds high up in the atmosphere, keeping that heat away from our shores, keeping us in some relatively cool air with areas of low pressure and frontal systems moving through. that frontal system there, that was tuesday's rain—maker. it is moving away eastwards. high pressure trying

to build from the west, but there'll still be some showers on wednesday. early cloud and patchy rain in eastern england, that tending to clear, then some spells of sunshine but a scattering of showers. wales and the south west of england, not seeing too many showers. northern scotland likely to stay quite cloudy and breezy throughout the day. and temperatures for lerwick only up to 12 degrees, further south, 2a the high in london. through wednesday night, the showers will tend to fade, we'll see clear skies overhead, one or two mist or fog patches. and with those clear skies, it is going to be actually quite a cool night for the time of year, widely in the towns and cities, 8—i2 degrees. but there will be places in the countryside that gets a little chillier than that. so a cool start to thursday morning, but a bright start with spells of sunshine. again, some showers will develop. the odd heavy one is possible. still some quite large areas of cloud across northern parts of scotland and temperatures north to south between 15—23 degrees. that covers it for most of us. now for friday, a lot of dry weather around to start off,

but we will tend to see more clouds spilling in from the west. and some outbreaks of rain are likely to move into parts of northern ireland and northwest scotland, drierfurther south and east, albeit with the chance for the odd shower and temperatures of 14—21 degrees. but as we head into the weekend, we see another frontal system attached to this area of low pressure. that will be working in from the west, bringing outbreaks of rain for many of us. and on the southern flank of that system, some quite strong winds. so, into the weekend some rain at times, albeit with some drier interludes. turning windy down towards the south and remaining fairly cool.

features in the uk. this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. theme music. i come here mainly to walk the dog in the morning and in the afternoon, and then also, its a great place to just clear your thoughts. i've come to london to meet gurinder chadha, a pioneering figure in the film industry — the first british asian woman

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