Amanpour

The United States is in the midst of an environmental crisis, as heavy smog continues to spread from wildfires raging in Canada. Authorities have issued air quality alerts down the east coast, affecting more than 75 million people. Correspondent Athena Jones reports on the apocalyptic scenes and health risks facing people. 

Also on today's show: US Senate Democrat Chris Coons; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; authors Leah Rothstein & Richard Rothstein 

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Former Vice President Mike Pence has officially launched his presidential campaign, joining a growing field of contenders – including his former boss Donald Trump – for the Republican nomination. While a crowded race could aid a victory for Trump as anti-Trump voters become splintered, support for Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis could present a challenge to the former president. Meanwhile, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie kicked off his second run at the White House yesterday with a scathing attack on Trump. Former Republican congressman and one-time CIA agent Will Hurd joins the show to discuss the candidates and the likelihood of a Biden-Trump repeat in the 2024 election. 

Also on today's show: Dr. Jean Pape, Director and Founder, Les Centres GHESKIO; musician Rufus Wainwright 

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There’s a blame game playing out after a dam was critically damaged today in occupied Ukraine. Both Kyiv and Moscow are pointing the finger at each other after the Nova Kakhovka dam was partly destroyed, flooding nearby communities. Ukraine’s former defense minister and adviser to the current government joins the show from Kyiv. Plus, Prince Harry is in the witness box at London’s High Court, taking on some of Britain’s biggest tabloid newspapers. Also, author Paula DiPerna talks to Hari Sreenivasan about making commodities like water and fresh air financially valuable to incentivize people and businesses to more actively fight climate change.

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America’s top general says Ukraine is ready to roll as both sides contest whether a large scale offensive has begun. Defense policy expert Kori Schake helps us peer through the fog of war. Then, actor and director Steve Buscemi joins to discuss his film The Listener, which takes a look at America’s mental health crisis through the eyes and ears of one helpline volunteer. Plus, who cares for the caregivers? Author Emily Kenway joins to discuss the hidden costs to those looking after our loved ones.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Finland today to welcome NATO’s newest member and launch a message across its 832-mile Russian border: Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine has been a strategic failure, greatly diminishing Russia’s power and influence. Blinken calls Finland’s entry into NATO a sea-change. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto tells Bianna about his meeting with Blinken. 

Also on today's show: José Carlos Zamora, son of jailed Guatemalan journalist; chef and humanitarian activist José Andrés; Lin-Manuel Miranda (from the archives) 

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance, but some member nations are questioning the timing. Meanwhile, Sweden’s NATO membership is also uncertain, as group member Turkey has voiced objections to it. Joining the show to discuss is former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt. 

Also on today's show: Frontline correspondent Maria Hinojosa; North Carolina Democratic leader Anderson Clayton 

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Lawmakers in the United States are racing to get a key debt ceiling bill through both chambers of Congress and signed into law. The Treasury Department says June 5th is the day they would no longer be able to pay the nation’s bills. On today’s show we dig into one key element of the deal – climate policy. Environmentalists are warning that this deal could have significant ramifications for the climate because it fast-tracks a controversial gas pipeline in West Virginia. Climate expert Michael Gerrard joins us to break this down. 

Also on today's show: Candace Rondeaux, Director, Future Frontlines; Isabel Kershner, NY Times Correspondent in Jerusalem and Author, "The Land of Hope and Fear"; writer/filmmaker Nida Manzoor 

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As drones hit Moscow buildings in a rare attack in the heart of Russia, the Kremlin is placing the blame squarely on Kyiv. But Ukraine denies any direct involvement. It’s a dramatic escalation that makes clear Putin’s war is coming closer to home and now puts Russian civilians at risk. US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith discusses this pivotal point in the war and how it is being viewed by Western allies. 

Also on today's show: Former candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams; author Héctor Tobar; musician Peter One 

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There is no new episode of the Amanpour showcast. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio. 

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In the western US a landmark deal to protect one of the country's most important waterways has finally been reached. The Colorado River serves more than 40 million Americans across multiple states, but it’s drying up at an alarming rate. Drought, overuse, and climate change are largely to blame. In the new deal, the lower basin states, Nevada, California and Arizona, will temporarily cut their water usage. In exchange, they’ll get over a billion dollars’ worth of federal grants. It’s a significant reduction, about 13% of their total demand. But experts are already warning that it’s not a long-term fix. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon joins Bianna to discuss how his upper basin state should also see the benefits of the deal. 

Also on today's show: South Carolina Senate Republican Penry Gustafson; national security analyst and journalist Peter Bergen; Kahn Academy founder/CEO Sal Khan 

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