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>> in washington, thc america. the era of global boiling has arrived. that stark message from the united nations as heat waves continue to batter countries across the globe. russian defenses are proving to be a challenge for ukraine's counteroffensive. we will take a look at why. and and religion coup in niger having rippling international effects. -- eight apparent to in niger having rippling international effects. -- coup in niger having rippling international effects. >> a starlit morning from the head of the united nations. he says that the world has entered an era of global boiling. speaking in new york, the secretary-general pleaded for immediate radical action on global emissions and describe the intense heat across parts of

the northern harris -- chemistry as terrifying. that came as yoand scientists claim that this is the warmest month ever recorded. mobile average temperature has exceeded the paris agreement target of 1.5 degrees -- degrees celsius, above preindustrial levels. joe biden spoke on this scorching heat, calling it in an existential threat. >> i don't think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore. they used to be a time when i got here people said it's not a problem. i don't know anybody who is saying that. i don't know anybody who honestly believes that climate change is not a serious problem. take a look at historic floods in vermont and california. droughts and hurricanes growing more frequent and intense. wildfires spreading a smoky haze for thousands of miles, worsening air quality. record temperatures, and i mean

record, are now affecting more than 100 million americans. >> president biden also discussed a few measures some -- some new, to combat climate change. he clarifies that workers have federal protections in hazardous conditions and told reporters that there will be more inspections of high-risk industries like construction and agriculture and he highlighted his billion-dollar grant fund allowing for more trees to be planted in cities for shade and cooling centers. >> in the capital today it has been 36-30 seven degre celsius, mild compared to other parts of the united states. in phoenix they have been joining -- enjoying their 20th consecutive day above 43 degrees celsius. it is a similar picture across much of the country. more than 150 million americans are living under an official heat alert. president biden has introduced a number of measures in the white

house this afternoon, issuing better protection for farmworkers, those working in construction, so they don't have to go out and work in the heat. also more money for weather forecasting. the truth is that these are measures that deal with the symptoms of climate change, not the causes. and america, historically, has been the world's biggest maker of greenhouse gases, it comes just behind china now. president biden's critics say that when faced with a congress that has dragged its feet on introducing tougher measures that he has not acted quickly or effectively enough in reducing america's greenhouse gases. >> reported there. in his discussions on climate, president biden was joined by the mayors of san antonio texas, and phoenix arizona. san antonio's mayor joined me to tell me what his city is doing to be the heat. they do so much for joining us.

you were part of the president's announcement today. can you tell us how the measures he announced will help your city? >> thank you very much for having me. the message from the white house was one of urgency, which is very welcome because the heat wave that we are expanding in this country, particular here in san antonio, is at an urgent level. and the measures announced today to help protect the most vulnerable members of our community, particularly outdoor workers, are very welcome. in texas cities battle with the state to get local controls will be that -- that we can protect workers. the president's reminder is that federal lawversees the basic protection of workers, and it is very welcome. the investments necessary to mitigate the impacts of the heat island effect and the overall change in climate is also very welcome. i mentioned that we are taking

efforts to improve tree canopies, to mitigate the heat island effect, we are also building more resilient infrastructure, shutting down the use of coal, there are a lot of strategies that are being implemented hand with the federal government. >> san antonio has just seen these withering heat waves. can you give us an idea of what it has been like for you and your city? -- in your city? >> it has been a level of intensity that is historic, with these numbers that we are say on the temperature gauge not normal. -- seeing on the tip at your gauge being not normal. it's just unbearable to be outside. and the duration, the unrelenting nature of the heat is also something with -- relatively new for us. we have seen this in consecutive

years. this is a reality we are going to have to face, and through smarter infrastructure and innovation and protection of our committee. >> the power grid is so under pressure with people staying indoors, and we know that the grid failed to years ago. are you confident that texas is equipped to handle this pressure? >> we have had experience, unfortunately with energy management at the state level in texas, and i would be completely candid by saying that i am unsure. at the local level we have made extraordinarily important investments in broadening our energy production and implanting more green energy production measures, and, let's face it, the state energy grid recognizes that it is solar and wind that

have really saved our necks during this heatwave. san antonio has become the number one producer, solar producer, in the state of texas. number five for the nation. we are continuing to add to that -- in the nation. we are continue to add to the portfolio. we want to add more that is resilient in the face of extreme weather. this is important in keeping the lights on so that people can be out of the heat, air conditioning is extremely important, and we want to make sure that we are reducing emissions to create a stronger portfolio for our state. we are doing that at the local level and we need to continue to do that at the state level. unfortunately, measures have gone in the opposite directions in the legislature. >> we have seen the planets hottest month ever recorded. i know that right after you got into office you signed a pledge to combat climate change in san antonio, but can't summers like this still be prevented as we are seeing local record-breaking heatwave? >> -- can't summers like this

still be prevented? >> we are ending the use of coal in san antonio, in recognition of that ability and our responsibility. we also have to mitigate the impact in the new reality. heat-related illness calls for emergency response, up 50% this year, and last year was also a record-setting year. we have to do things that are protecting people now. that is what we're doingy opening cooling centers. we have 80. we are providing free transportation to folks who need access and transport to cooling centers. we are also building more resilient infrastructure, zeroing in on ways to reduce the urban heat island effect, preserving tree canopy, adding electric charters and -- in single-family homes, that's a new requirement for home

development. we need to create resilient infrastructure and face the new reality. but it does not take away our responsibility to do what we can now. to take action on climate change. >> like you so much for joining us. -- thank you so much for joining us. this is having such an end -- a huge impact on rely. seawater is the hottest on record off the coast of florida. and coral is at high risk. mass coral bleaching has been found in some breach -- rapes which could lead to die off. -- reefs which could lead to a die off. >> people are rescuing quarrels -- corals. they are going out and collecting it to rebuild the reefs. our reefs around the world have been suffered. and we have been working to build it back up. we are taking those corals that are growing into safekeeping,

sort of like a noah's ark on land into places where we can control the temperature and keep them safe. >> we are continuing to follow the grand jury investigation into efforts to control the 2020 election. lawyers for donald trump fit -- met with special counsel jack smith seen. media reported that his lawyers were told to expect an indictment but trump is refuting that report. on his tru social platform he wrote that my attorneys had a productive meeting with the department of justice explaining in detail that i did nothing wrong. was advised by many lawyers and that an indictment of me would only destroy our country. he said that no indication of notice was given during the meeting, and the special counsel had charged him in a different case with mishandling classified documents. continued uncertainty after military leaders said they have led a coup in nature.

-- niger. it has strong international condemnation, including from the secretary of state. he called for the immediate release of the president, but stopped short of telling a coup. he is a key western highlight in the fight against islamic militancy. if the situation is labeled a coup, there could be ramifications for counterterrorist operations because there are drone operations in the country. frank gardner has more on the impact on the u.s. and other allies. >> this is the fifth successful coup in just three years in west africa, and it's pretty bad news for the international community. especially for the u.s., france, and the region. america has $100 million drone bases there, it's a central operation theater for france, which has moved its bases out of mali following a coup there,

into niger. it means that the international effort to try to push back al qaeda, and isis linked insertions -- insurgent group that groups is going to be setback. almost certainly, the wagner group, they will be looking to profit from this. i have already entrenched themselves in mali, burkina faso, the central african republic, and they will be looking to do something in niger, which is very rich in uranium or, something that will not escape the notice of people in the kremlin. >> president putin welcome several african leaders at a summit in st. petersburg on thursday. 32 african nations are attending, including 17 heads of state. that is a decrease from a previous summit in 2019, when 43 heads of state attended the event and the kremlin has put blame on the west for low turnout. grain is the biggest topic of

the summit following moscow's departure from the black sea brain initiative. putin reassured leaders that russia will do everything it can to avoid a food crisis, from a single large no-cost shipmen of grain to six of what putin called the neediest african countries. zimbabwe, burkina faso, mali, sub -- every tray, and the central african republic. andrew harding has been following this summit. next interesting that african leaders are staying away. ukraine, under conflict has a lot to do with that. and american and european pressure on african governments. the grain issue is messy right now. the african continent is very dependent on ukrainian and russian gray. there had been a deal through the black sea to allow ukrainian exports that had been re-continued after negotiations, but now the russians have pulled out and seemed to be trying to

essentially blockade ukrainian grain exports. that's very bad news for african countries. particularly in places like somalia where they are facing near family conditions. the russians as saying that we will give you free grain and certainly lots of russian. to make up the shortfall. but the likely impact on global grain prices is going to be to push up dramatically, and that is going to affect a lot of people across africa. i think that there will be some pretty difficult questions in st. petersburg between president putin and some of the more outspoken african leaders who decided to show up. >> our russia editor steve rosenberg has been watching the elements including an unexpected appearance. >> it was not on the official list as far as we know. he was not sitting around the table or at the plenary session as far as we could see. when the extraordinary photograph appeared today of

precaution smiling, shaking hands with an official from the central african -- yevgeny prigozhin shaking hands with a official from the central african republic, he kind of stole the show. it's quite extraordinary when you think that just over a month ago, mr. prigozhin, the creator of the wagner group, organized me to insurrection, marching on moscow. president putin called this treachery and a stab in the back. and just over a month later, the leader, who was supposed to go to belarus, is standing in st. petersburg smiling and shaking hands with an african official. what does this tell us? i'm not quite su. it tells us that russia is a complicated place. it tells us perhaps that the kremlin is not in a position to move against him.

or that they have decided they need him ann wagner in other parts of the world, such as africa, where their paramilitaries are very active. back at the summit, the main part of the summit, events got off today with fewer heads of state than the last russia african summit, four years ago. that would have been calling for the kremlin. on the other -- galling for the criminal. -- kremlin. they blame the west and france in particular for putting pressure on african leaders n to come to st. petersburg. >> president putin says that ukraine's military operations have iensified in recent days, but the general in charge of the counteroffensive against russian forces in the south has told the bbc that complex defensive lines and minefields are proving difficult to preach. our defense correspondent has the latest.

>> hidden in a forest, evidence of ukraine's stutring offensive in the sand -- south. in makeshift repair yard trying to salvage, not also be equipment, but recently donated western armor. these u.s.-made properties may have saved lives, but they have also been damaged by what is slowing them down. russian minefields. >> some cannot be repaired. so they will scavenge the parts. >> this was the scene in the first days of the counteroffensive many of them became an easy target and fodder for russian propaganda. it's ukraine's infantry who are having to make the hard yards on foot. although are difficult to hold

ground without them. it has been painful to watch, for this drone operator. he has seen for the new tactics. this is what he found with ukrainian troops trying to capture a russian trench. it was empty, but rate with explosives. >> -- reagan with explosives. -- rigged with explosives. >> it killer friends. >> and the ukrainians using weapons ban for more than 100 countries. they are firing on russian infantry positions and for the first time we are seeing them using cluster munitions. the ukrainian general overseeing the sudden offensive defended their use. he says he is facing a more difficult enemy.

>> i don't underestimate the enemy. they have created all of the conditions that prevent us from moving forward quickly. but their weakness is that they don't care about their people. >> how can i decide if you're offensive is a success or failure? >> i would not be talking to you now if the counteroffensive was not successful. >> he said he still had yet to commit his main strike force and there are reports that may now be happening. the bodies of dead russian soldiers and destroyed tanks show ukraine is advancing, on this battlefield there are also pieces of wrecked western armor, including these british supplied vehicles. ukraine says it needs patience and time. jonathan beale, bbc news. >> russia's defense minister and

a chinese delegation have both been in north korea for cebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the korean war armistice. the north and south are technically still at war because no peace agreement was reached when the conflict ended. that left tens of thousands of south korean priners of war stuck in north korea for decades, never free. here is jean mackenzie. >> what is usually cause for commemoration, but in pyongyang, it's more of a celebration. the red carpet treatment, vip guests to the party. russia's defense minister. the pre-party was a tour of north korea's fine nuclear weapons. and it's latest model of drones. is mr. kim hoping for a new customer?

these weapons could be used against south korea any day. a reminder that this war is not over. >> the document is signed by general harrison. >> the armistice was only supposed to be temporary, but he treat -- peace treaty never followed. leaving them in a perpetual state of war. we are here at the korean war memorial, and this war is more than just memories in korea. they are living with the consequences of this today because the peninsula is still divided and families are still separated and tens of thousands of south korean soldiers held captive in the north have never been returned. >> this is one of the very few soldiers who have managed to escape. after 54 years in a north korean coal mine, which took three of his fingers and the life of his only son. he fled, h 77. -- age 77.

>> i was alone, scared i could face a meaningless death at any moment. >> at what int did you give up hope that anybody was going to come for you? >> north korea was saying that it d not have any prisoners of war. no to question it -- nobody questioned it. the government made no effort to retrieve us. ask in south korea, the president casts a more summer shadow. -- >> in south korea, president casts a more somber shadow as many soldiers are brought home to rest. by the time we arrived home, -- lee arrived home already old and frail, his parents had passed away. he has struggled to find peace. >> we need to be reunified. we are one people and cannot be divided. his dream of reunification feels evermore illusory.

jean mackenzie, bbc news. >> now to some other headlines. the u.s. department of justice has opened an investigation into the memphis police department overuse of excessive force and civil rights violations. allegations include officers using force against people who are already restrained and traffic enforcement which may target black drivers for minor citations. in january, memphis police officers were involved in the death of tyre nichols, who had been pulled over for an election traffic infection. microsoft at risk of a hefty fine after the you began an antitrust investigation into the tech giant. the latest investigation targets it's bundling of chat with office products. they have racked up billions of dollars in antitrust finds in the previous decade. and the costs associated with norfolk southern's february train derailment in ohio have more than doubled to $803

million. the terrain met near the io pennsylvania border resulted in the burning and spilling of hazardous chemicals that contaminated air, soil and water in the area, and that does not include funds to compass if the committee for long-term effects associated with the derailment. >> to the women's world cup where the women's team solve their toughest matchup against another team on wednesday. the netherlands scored in the 70th minute, and it was not until cocaptain lindsey horan was found in the 60th minute that she found her revenge and leveled the game. she is keeping their hopes alive as they head into the final group match against portugal on tuesday. thank you so much for watching world news america. ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program

is provided by... narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪

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one giant leap for mankind. william: good evening. i'm william brangham. amna nawaz and geoff bennett are away. on the “newshour” tonight, donald trump's lawyers meet with the special counsel as a potential indictment on election interference looms over the former president. then, july is set to be the hottest month ever. how the record heat is disproportionately affecting americans based on where they live and work. and, efforts to protect right whales from possible extinction run up against lobstermen fighting for their economic survival. >> if we don't stabilize and begin the recovery, they will be gone within a couple of decades. they will be extinct. ♪