News Wrap: U.S., China discuss curbing coal usage and methane emissions

Geoff Bennett:

As that heat wave hits parts of the U.S., Southern Europe continues to swelter, as intense heat there shows no signs of abating.

The culprit is a hot air mass from Africa called an anticyclone. In Italy, officials stepped up heat warnings as temperatures in Rome soared to 102 degrees. It could be even worse tomorrow, but many tourists seem to take it in stride.

Karstin Myhrvuld, Tourist:

We are young and healthy, and I think we will manage the heat. We have water, and nothing in the bag, just water, lots of water. And we have the air conditioning on the hotel.

Geoff Bennett:

Spain and Greece are also enduring brutally hot temperatures, and the heat wave is expected to last until Wednesday.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry met with his Chinese counterpart today, pushing for a curb on coal usage and methane emissions. The Beijing talks marked their first extensive face-to-face meeting after a yearlong break as relations worsened. The U.S. and China are the world's leading polluters.

Russia is warning, Ukraine will answer for an attack that closed a key bridge today and killed two people. The Kerch Bridge links Russia to annexed Crimea. It's a supply route for Russian forces and was initially attacked and damaged last October. Moscow released sometimes blurry images today showing investigators at the mangled bridge and a damaged passenger vehicle.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of retaliation.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through translator):

I would like to repeat that what has happened is yet another terrorist attack committed by the Kyiv regime. It's also a cruel crime because innocent civilians have been killed. Of course, there will be a response from the Russian side. The Defense Ministry is preparing adequate proposals.

Geoff Bennett:

Ukraine did not directly confirm or deny responsibility for the attack. An adjacent railroad bridge appeared undamaged. It handles more military traffic than the Kerch Bridge does.

Back in this country, a state court judge in Iowa has temporarily blocked a law that banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Republican state lawmakers pushed it through last week in a special session. Today's action puts the measure on hold while courts decide if it's constitutional.

Another experimental Alzheimer's treatment is showing promise. Drugmaker Eli Lilly reports its medication donanemab slowed the disease by four to seven months among patients in the early stages. A different Alzheimer's drug was approved by the FDA earlier this month. Both come with a risk of brain swelling and bleeding.

On Wall Street today, hopes for improved corporate earnings outweighed China's report of weaker economic growth than expected. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 76 points to close it 34585. The Nasdaq rose 131 points, nearly 1 percent. The S&P 500 added 17 points.

Still to come on the "NewsHour": the case being made against third-party candidates; our Politics Monday team on the latest fund-raising numbers for presidential hopefuls; and a look at Britain's growing housing crisis.