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>> i'm katrina perry in washington. this is bbc world news america. ukraine under fire. another missile strike, multiple civilians killed and injured in the eastern city of graz. saving the summit kicks off in focused on one of the world's most important ecosystems. portugal is burning. the hottest day of the year triggering wildfires as thousands are forced to evacuate. welcome to world news america. we start with the war in ukraine. at least seven people are dead

after two russian missile attacks. the second missile attack happened as rescuers were searching for victims of the first. zens were injured, including two children. the head of the region said it damaged a hotel, as well as office buildings. our correspondent has more about the attack and the town where it happened. >> rescue efforts are continuing today. paused overnight because of risk shelling. it is one of many frontlin towns whereafter the population was hollowed out in the full-scale invasion of last year, people have been returning to cities despite the very real dangers. authorities saying stay away, it is not safe. there are reminders of the threat with damaged buildings. this is the worst we have seen for a while. you have the hotel and

restaurant. me and countless other journalists as well as civilians and soldiers, that is where you eat in places like this. the people are very friendly. a place that has somehow learned to live, despite being around 20 miles from the frontline. when you are that close to the frontline, you are within range of all russian weaponry, such as missile, artillery fire. the risks go up. there is no doubt russia targeted it because ukrainian soldiers go through there. it is a civilian location. it is a small town. the rescue teams sifting through the rubble trying to find who they can. the fact so many injured are made up of police officers

reflects the strikes happening within 40 minutes of each other. double tapping were we have seen russian forces do this, where they hit a specific era. they hit it again in a deliberate act. >> a little earlier, i spoke with linda thomas-greenfield, u.s. ambassador to the united nations, about the latest in ukraine. >> if we can turn to the situation in ukraine, we have seen russia striking civilians while holding a blockade of food exports in the black sea. much-needed food relief for countries like afghanistan, yemen, and others. the situation the former u.s. ambassador called a war zone relevant to nato as western ukraine. is there any hope for relief in the black sea to restore the grain deal? >> i continue to be hopeful.

the secretary-general's -- has been working to push the russians to get back into the grain deal. it is in the interests of global south community, it is in our interest, it is in russia's interest to get back in. we remain hopeful. but it really is in the hands of the russians to make the right decision to resume allowing for ukrainian grain to go through the black sea. >> why does the un security council seem to be unable to get a handle on the russian threat in a clear breacof ukraine's sovereignty? >> it is clearly a breach of ukraine's sovereignty. it undermines the very foundation of the u.n. charter, the foundation of the values we believe in.

the council has been consistent in condemning russia's actions. their actions have been condemned. very strongly in the general assembly, we have more than 40 countries vote to condemn russia, to condemn their actions, their annexations, and to call for peace. in the security council, you hear every single country to do the right thing. condemning their actions in ukraine, their attack on ukrae's sovereignty. it is really in russia's hands to end this war. they can today. they can return ukrainian territory to ukraine. and allow for the free flow of wheat to the rest of the world. >> those condemnations as loud

and frequent have not lead to any action on part of russia. how significantly do you think the veto power has hindered the ability to bring about any discussions? the veto power has not protected them from condemnation. it has not protected them from the isolation they are feeling in the security council. we will continue to keep the pressure on russia until the withdraw troops from ukraine. and i know they are feeling that pressure every single day and we cannot let up until they end this unprovoked war of aggression on the ukrainian people. president biden said over and over we will stand with ukraine as long as ukraine needs us, and we will. >> i did see peace talks over the weekend. there is no significant resolution to come from that. do you think the u.n. can broker

a deal between russia and ukraine? >> i think the deal can be brokered, it has to have ukraine's active participation in that process. it can give russia what i like to refer to their ill begotten wealth. the annexation of ukrainian territory that they took in this unprovoked war. right now, efforts are being made, we support efforts to find a path to peace. but russia has to be willing participant in that. participating, they have to draw troops from ukraine. >> speaking about the security council, it holds the presidency -- one of the priorities is food insecurity, specifically ending famine forever. what are you asking from other u.n. nations in terms of achieving that goal? >> we are asking other countries

to commit to doing everything possible to end famine. there's no reason for 700 million ople to go to bed hungry every single night. there is no need for famine like conditions in africa. we have the resources and tools to end this crisis, and we have to commit to doing it. i was very pleased that we had 91 countries this past week sign on to a communique demanding that food not be used as a weapon of a war. and the security council condemn russia's actions in ukraine. >> if we can look at the situation in niger, the acting deputy u.s. secretary of state visited there monday. she described the situation as not comported with the constitution. officially calling it a coup has

legal implications. the usa would have to be stopped . if the biden administration considers actions not to be in line with the constitution and the delegation was physically stopped from seeing the president in person, is it not a coup? >> it is certainly an attempt at a coup. we still believe the president is the recognized elected leader of niger. and we will continue to push for his release. we have supported the efforts, they have also called for his release and the military to stand down. >> if those in the present moment are not allowing your delegation to visit with the president, they have also refused a visit from the delegation. that is a serious situation.

how concerned are you about the safety of the president? >> it is a serious situation. we are concerned about the safety. we have stayed engaged with him over the course of of his detention. we have spoken with him on the phone several times. i have been in touch with him, has the secretary of state and others in the region have reached out to him. we will keep pushing for his release. they will be having a meeting on thursday where they will discuss the situation more aggressively, talk about how to find a path forward that will get the president released. >> what is the next step the u.s. can take? >> right now, what we have decided to do is temporarily hold back on all of our support and aid that goes through the

government of niger. we are still providing direct humanitarian assistance to the people. but we want to be clear that this current effort is not going to be supported by the u.s. government. >> thank you for joining us. we will leave it there. ambassador linda thomas-greenfield, thank you. >> thank you, great to be here with you. >> military leaders continuing to defies attempts to negotiate following a military coup in the west african country of niger la month. a planned diplomatic visit was canceled amid concerns and public anger and sanctions targeting niger. that was supposed to be with delegates from the african union, u.s., and economic community of west african states. the head of states are still planning to meet later this week for a summit to discuss the standoff. the situation is one the u.s.

has been following closely. the acting president, mohammed bazoum has been a key partner in the region. antony blinken about the influence of wegner on this crisis. >> something like the wegner group manifesting itself in different parts, and here is why we are concerned. every single place the wegner group has gone, death, destruction, and exploitation have followed. insecurity has gone up, not down. it is in response -- it is not in response for the needs of the country in question for greater security. i think what continues to happen in niger was not instigated by russia or wegner. but to the extent they tried to take advantage, and we see a repeat of what is happening in other countries where they brought nothing but bad things in their wake, that would not be good. we support the work ecowas is

doing to restore the constitutional order. i have been in close touch with president bazoum, many colleagues in the region, including the nigerian president, colleagues of the african union. it is very important the constitutional order be restored. right now, ecowas is playing a very important role moving the country back in that direction. >> the leader released an audio message which she seemed to offer support to coup leaders. it came out on telegram. the bbc has not been able to independently verify the date and location on it. >> we are always on the side of goodness. stice, and the side of those who want to fight for sovereignty and the rights of their people. call us anytime. >> onto the latest in a series of severe weather events.

in the u.s., nearly 30 million people under tornado watches on monday. the fast-moving thunderstorms and powerful winds crossed the eastern part of the country, killing at least two people. over one million homes and businesses lost power. it caused chaos for travelers. flights were canceled or delayed. in northeastern china flooding from the typhoon killed 30 people. that flooding is starting to ease. now the region is bracing for more damaging winds and flood as another typhoon is projected to reach on thursday. as the world sees increasing instances of severe weather, president biden is on a four-day trip out west, part of the trip is to highlight the right to combat climate change. in arizona, president biden announced a national monument near the grand canyon at the historic red butte airfield. it will include nearly one million acres and thousands of

cultural sites and will protect the area from potential uranium mining. it was attended by several local tribal groups, many who have been pushing biden to create the monument under the antiquities act of 1906. according to the national park service, the act was the u.s. law to provide general legal protection of cultural and natural resources of historical or scientific interests on federal lands. biden spoke about the protection of the lands for both the state and the patient. >> it is not hyperbole, there is no national treasure, none that is grander than the grand canyon. the grand canyon, one of the earth's nine wonders of the world, preserving these lands is good not only for the planet. it is good for theconomy. it is good for the soul of the nation. i believe the right thing to do.

but there is more work ahead to combat the existential threat of climate change. >> in portugal, firefighters working to battle firefighters that have been burning for days. the hottest day of 2023. temperatures in some areas rising to nearly 115 degrees fahrenheit, 46.4 degrees celsius. weather warnings remain in effect across the country a nearly 2800 firefighters and 1600 water bombers worked to contain the flames. 1500 portuguese residents forced to evacuate. allison roberts sent this report. >> portugal escaped much of the heatwave suffered across southern europe last month. in recent days, temperatures have soared. along with months of drought, that greatly increased the risk of fire across the country. tuesday, 120 minutes apologies

were at maximum risk. as many high or at high risk of fire. the worst blaze on tuesday was in southwest portugal, where more than 1000 firefighters were in action over many hours. they believe the perimeter of the fire was under control, but there were several critical points that could have further breakouts at any time. that is what they are watching overnight and into wednesday. temperatures are set to decrease slightly as the week wears on. the level of fire risk will remain high. in southern portugal, where the temperatures are lower, the fire risk will increase as it goes on. we expect many hundreds of firefighters will be in actio there and other places. >> in south america, a landmark summit underway to discuss ways

to protect the amazon, the largest rain forest in the world. leaders from the eight nations thathow the rainforest our meeting to look at regional measures to save it. brazilian president desilva -- to agree on policy as scientists are concerned deforestaon may be approaching and irreversible tipping point. researchers say that amazon is a crucial buffer against climate change and 60% of it is located in brazil. it acts as a major carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide. president lula has already promised to end deforestation by 2030. rainforest destruction has surged under his predecessor, and it appears some progresis already being made. july of this year, an area of over 193 square miles of rain forest was cleared in brazil, 66% left than what had been

cleared in july of last year. rainforest is home to 50 million people, including hundreds of indigenous groups who depend on its ecosystem. joining us now is katy watson, our south america correspondent. what tone has president lula da silva set? >> this has been a campaign promise of his since he won last year. announcing anywhere i m will paly -- will play host to comp 30. this region of vizio in the amazon, a very forgotten part of brazil, is taking mainstage. a very important role. when we talk about the amazon, as well as having countries come down to discuss what they can do to protect it. he said it is a time for collective action, also not to think about environmental

protection, but about social inclusion. the 50 million people who live in the amazon across eight countries and how if we look at their future, it also helped protect the forest. big issues are on the table. he is ambitious and seems committed to making change since bolsonaro lost the election last october. >> any specific goals the summit hopes to achieve? >> he wants to end deforestation in brazil by 2030. that is one of the goals to get everybody on the same page. discussing cross-border police when it comes to crime, as well as looking at issues of fossil fuel exploration.

nearly 50 million people who live across the amazon say they want their needs look after. they are key to be able to make the difference in protecting the amazon. >> is the international will power there to achieve that? >> i think it is. the group of eight countries who share a piece of the amazon, their group came together about 45 years ago to work together on helpinthe amazon. they have not really met many times in that period. there seems to be a political alliance, the other president in columbia, strongly about improving the environmental record in south america. there is no denying what climate change is doing.

people are committed to making those changes the biggest issue facing these countries, discussing how to protect it going forward. >> katy watson, thank you for that. pakistan's former prime minister has been barred from holding public office for five years. the decision comes just three days after he was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption. he will be dismissed as a member of parliament, unable to stand for public office until 2028. the u.s. supreme court granted the biden administration's request to reinstate a federal regulation to curb privately made firearms called ghost guns, for now. the decision put on hold a july 5 decision by a district judge that blocked the administration's 2022 rule. the government had the power to

regulate so called ghost guns as traditional firearms are. the company that defined the remote work revolution, zoom, is telling employees to come back to the office. citing business effectiveness. zoom is set to enforce a structured hybrid approach. employees who live nr an office will be on site two days a week. republican presidential hopeful and florida governor ron desantis replaced his campaign manager on tuesday. some analystsre calling it a continued shakeup to his campaign. the job will be filled by his chief of staff for his gubernatorial office. the third major reshuffling of his campaign operations as he attempts to counter former president trump in the 2024 race to be the republican party's nominee. u.s. space agency nasa is on track for its artemis ii mission

in just over a year's time. in november 2024, they will send three americans and one canadian to voyage around the moon. the flight will test the orion spacecraft's life-support systems and look at what is needed for humans to work and live in deep space. the four person crew got to see their spacecraft for the first time this week. theypoke about how future astronauts will use this equipment. >> the four of us sitting here, the measure of success for artemis ii is seeing our colleagues on the lunar surface, assembling gateway, and seeing people that are following in our footsteps, walking on mars and coming back to planet earth. >> if the mission is a success, nasa hopes to return astronauts to the moon in 2025 before eventually taking aim for a journey to mars. i'm katrina perry. thank you for watching world news america. take care. ♪

narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided ... 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. ♪ ♪

introducing a technological achievement so advanced... it rivals the moon landing. wow! ok. rude.

that's one small step for man. one giant leap for mankind. amna: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is away. on the "newshour" tonight, former president trump calls for the judge overseeing the 2020 election interference case to recuse herself and change the venue. he argues he cannot get a fair trial in d.c. secretary of the interior deb haaland discusses a new monument near the grand canyon that protects sacred indigenous land and bans mining. and, many american cities look to convert vacant corporate spaces into housing units as the future of downtown office work remains in question. >> what we're seeing right now is a lot of developers and owners making that decision to go residential, because there's a lack of confidence in the office market. ♪