Crystal blue caribbean sea. Nonstop flights are available from most major airports. More information for your vacation planning is available at aruba. Com. And now, bbc world news. Tim this is bbc world news america. Reporting from washington, i am tim willcox. Prime minister may it is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Tim and so brexit begins with the delivery of a letter, the u. K. Starts the process of separating ties with the European Union. In brussels and beyond, officials are preparing for the start of new trade relationships. And why are more and more voters in the u. S. Are questioning the validity of science, and what the Scientific Community is doing about it. Tim hello, and welcome to our viewers on Public Television in america and around the globe. A terrible mistake or a complicated but necessary view,e, whatever your brexit has begun. It will trigger tough negotiations over trade relations and the status of eu and british citizens abroad. It is the culmination of a vote nine months ago and the beginning of so much more. Our Political Editor starts our coverage. Reporter some moments make us. This is one. In westminster, belfast, edinburgh, and cardiff, the United Kingdom formally changed course. Prime minister may the article 50 process is underway, and in accordance with the wishes of the british people, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Reporter probably our last ambassador to the European Union handing over the letter at 12 25, the document that says we are on our way out. Theresa mays signature on our departure. Her job now, to make it work. This her hope. Prime minister may a country that goes out into the world that builds relationships with old friends and new allies alike. That is why ive set out a clear and ambitious plans for negotiations ahead. It is the plan for a new, deep, special partnership between britain and the European Union. Reporter and perhaps the most important letter she will ever pen, the Prime Minister wrote of her hopes to give reassurance quickly to the eu citizens who live here and the brits abroad. We should strike an early agreement about rights, for no but no guarantees. The Prime Minister wants a trade deal with greater scope and ambition than before, a bold hope seen as naive by some. There was no overt threat to walk away, but a serious warning , a failure to Reach Agreement would meet our cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened. We must work hard to avoid that outcome. Her message, the eu needs us. She wants to agree to terms of future partnership alongside those of our withdrawal from the eu to work out how we leave, at , the same time as sorting out the future. Labor arent the only once only ones skeptical she can deliver. If the Prime Minister can deliver, that will be fine. We will back her. More than ever, britain needs a government that will deliver for the whole country, not just a few, and that is the ultimate test of the brexit deal that the Prime Minister must secure. The clock is ticking now. Reporter a public party for some, even though that is not actually the foreign secretary. Everyone united reporter almost a wake for others. That is the sense in the home of the eu. Mr. Tusk there is no sense in pretending this is a happy day, in brussels or london. Reporter in a rare interview inside a number 10, the Prime Minister promised that despite the challenges, our relationship with the rest of the continent will be just as good. Prime minister may what we are both looking for is the comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that gives the ability to trade freely into the Single Market and for them to trade with us. It will be a different relationship but i think of all , have the same benefits in terms of the free access to trade. Reporter an assertion that will take a lot to prove, one her counterparts in europe struggle to believe. Number 10s time for preparation is up and it is time to persuade. Tim as we heard there, the president of the European Council said this isnt a happy day, but donald tusk insisted the remaining eu members were united, and they are determined to protect their interests during what he called the difficult negotiations ahead. Our europe editor reports from brussels. Reporter the man with the burning letter in his briefcase. Good morning. Ambassador. He arrived without much fanfare at the council building. This isnt just an historic day for the u. K. For the eu it is a momentous, never to be forgotten, kick in the teeth. Visibly unhappy, this was the recipient of britains letter starting the brexit process. Usk, the man who represents all eu Member States here in brussels. Mr. Tusk there is nothing in this process im talking about both sides. This is about damage control. Reporter so the letter has been delivered. What now . The European Commission is the lead negotiator for the eu when it comes to brexit. The commissions vice president. How can negotiations even start with both sides at loggerheads . The u. K. Wants divorce talks and talks of a new trade deal in parallel. The Commission Says no, divorce comes first. That is part of how we negotiate. Everyone starts with its own interest and tries to formulate its own interests in the best possible way. That is what we all do. Reporter what is the problem in having parallel talks, talking about trade the same time as divorce . The position of the eu will be determined on careful analysis of theresa mays letter. There will be no future settlement if we are not clear on how the divorce settlement will be. Reporter to make 2 years of negotiations even thornier, the u. K. Isnt just talking to the European Commission. The real power behind the throne lies in the eu capital berlin, paris, rome, 24 others. They will take any big political decisions to the eu when it comes to brexit and the future trade deal. They dont and wont always agree with one another, and the article 50 time frame is very, very tight. Just before everyone hates into just before everyone heads into the lions den, there were conciliatory noises all around in europe today. Look at the front page of this german newspaper. And then this, from germanys powerful europhile Prime Minister. We will conduct fair and constructive talks and i hope the British Government will approach negotiations in the same spirit. Reporter chancellor merkel stressed the importance of citizensthe fate of eu in the u. K. And british citizens in the eu asap. Brussels and london agree, thankful for issue at least to one unite around. Tim a short time ago i caught up with my colleague outside the british parliament. Christian, thats it . Is brexit now unstoppable . Reporter yeah, it has taken nine months to deliver this letter. Someone did it delivered not want ite did ever to be delivered, but it was transferred from downing street to paris last night. The european ambassador, British Ambassador to the European Union went with the letter in hand to the European Council building. That was it. The remarkably simple operation setting in place 2 years of fiendishly difficult negotiations. In terms of the mood here, everybody watching that, i got a sense from mps that there is a sense of relief, that it is finally underway. Theyve been talking about it and putting it to the remain and leave camps. Now they are batting for britain plc, and tomorrow the real work gets underway in the house of comments because they have to , debate the great repeal bill, which will suck in the 19,000 rules and regulations on the European Union. Enormous amount of work to get underway. Tim what about the impacts in the United States . Michelle fleury spoke with the former chairman of economic advisers under president obama. Michelle thank you for joining us on the show. A perspective sense from america, what do you think the people, the market, thinks of brexit . We are dealing with our own version of the forces of brexit in the u. S. The u. S. Perspective is colored by trump. We have experience in the u. S. That donald trump is elected, the market responds in a positive way, and people say we policyng to get a lot of done, perhaps, or unleash animal spirits. It is slowly falling apart. That way, little bit perhaps, for brexit. The initial naysayers, their fear is where perhaps overstated. Were perhaps overstated. If there is going to be a 60 billion bill associated with brexit, if you are not going to be able to negotiate a trade arrangement with the eu in a relevant timeframe, then the slow bleed feels like it is more on the table. Michelle going back to the time of the vote, you said it was a victory for trump. It seems you still feel that way. Immigration propelled him to victory and was a key component in the brexit negotiation, freedom of movement. How do think that will go forward in the negotiation . We will have to ask the europeans, but it feels important. It could be drowned out, depending on what happens in elections in other eu countries that remain, particularly france. The basic proposition of the will gors was nothing wrong in the economy, and the only change is that we will be able to stop as much immigration as we have been having. It seems that is definitely not going to be true. Michelle a lot on the table getting a trade deal done with europe here and about with the United States . You have seen donald trump express, i dont know if you would call it willingness, but pals and we will move you to the front of the queue. Realistically, the chance that in the next 2 years that the u. K. Would be able to negotiate a trade agreement and sign it with the u. S. Seems unlikely to me. Michelle thank you, very much. Thank you. Tim you are watching bbc world news america. Reports from syria say engineers managed to carry out some work on the dem on the euphrates river, which has been the center of fighting. Earlier, they thought they were driven away i militants. Pressureusing water and fears of flooding. Donald trumps boldest daughter has taken an unofficial federal job working for her father. It longerterm already has an office in that white house and has been sitting in on meetings. Her unofficial role will be assistant. Her husband is already an advisor to the president. A new political reality for the world of science. How facts and logic are feeling the heat, and what experts plan to do about it. Man who was paralyzed from the shoulders down has been able to have a cup ofnd coffee. The technology is a long way from being used outside the lab. Eat the mash to potatoes really well. This 56yearold was paralyzed from the shoulders down after a cycling accident eight years ago. It was raining. I was following a truck, keeping my distance pretty good. It stopped to deliver a package and i ran into the back of the mail truck. Reporter he was totally dependent, but determined that his life did not end there, he signed himself up for medical research. Reallyather said, do you want to do this . I said yes. Someone has to do research. Reporter he volunteered for surgery. Sensors replaced in his brain in the part of his brain that controls hand movement. We branched his spinal cord injury. He could think about moving his arm, and it moves. It is pretty cool. I get to be the first in the world to do it. Reporter bill is the only person to have used the technology, which has been tested in america. Doctors acknowledge there is some way to go before it is clinically accepted, but it could transform the lives of many living with paralysis. I am still loud every time i can dory time something. It will help out many more people in years to come. Tim in washington, the political focus remains on the investigations into russian involvement into the u. S. Election and if the Trump Campaign manager involved. The chairman of the committee looking into the matter says they have asked 20 people to be questioned, among them jared kushner, who has acknowledged meetings with russian officials during the transition. The top democrat on the Committee Says there is no question about russias motive. Russias goal, vladimir a weaker United States. Weaker economically, weaker globally. To allould be a concern americans, regardless of party affiliation. A formeroke with governor of new mexico and ambassador to the united nations. He was on capitol hill testifying about President Trumps proposed wall with mexico. I asked him his thoughts on the russian investigations. Seems to be obsessed with this russian intelligence. How damaging is it for brand usa internationally . It is damaging to President Trump and the american image because everyone is so focused on the russia probe, rightly so, we have to get to the bottom of it, but it is spilling into the filled health care debate, immigration. I testified on relations with mexico this morning. The Foreign Policy is in disarray. The symbol is the unexplained ties between President Trump and russia. Tim given that other International States acknowledge the russian interference, what does donald trump have to do to close this one down . Come clean. T to number two, he has to accept an independent investigation. A select committee. Not the house or the senate. The house is his stooges. A select committee to get to the bottom. Get it all out. The russians did not cause his win. One his election. They interfered with clinton, and there could have been collusion between trumps people are get it out. This is a cloud. Tim you say it is distraction from serious issues, for instance, like north korea. How has the Trump Administration coped with the latest missile test there . On north korea, they have been measured. They are looking at their options, not overreacting. North korea wants us to overreact. We need to find a new policy. The old policy is strategic patience. You find new alternatives. Get the chinese grilli involved, get a group of actors to pressure north korea. Really involved. Get a group of actors to pressure north korea. He have the mindset to deal with Something Like the north korea problem . Himself asrump sees a great negotiator, but he hasnt been one as president. He lost the health care debate, which he shouldnt have. He gives up leverage when he doesnt have to. Is notatens, that working. With north korea it is negotiating it is different from negotiating a real estate deal with diplomacy. Mexico says they will not pay for the wall. Trout insists that they should. Trump insists that they should. It is a terrible symbol of exclusion. Mexico has leverage over us. They work with us on cartels. They are the Third Largest trading partner, more than the United Kingdom. Donald trump, it is not the same as negotiating a deal with a real estate company, then with another company that has its own political base, or a congressman that has their own political base. Tim is the wall going to get built . I dont think so. Congress will not funded. Mexico will not pay for it. I think that donald trump is losing leverage and will back off, not right away. Tim thank you. Billhoughts of governor richardson who came into the bureau in washington earlier today. Politics is hardly a precise science. Science is having a tough time of politics. On tuesday President Trump dismantled some of his predecessors environmental policies. That could significantly set back the u. S. s ability to meet goals and put other countries in the position to take the lead on climate issues. Scientists and their processes are under attack. That is terrifying. Reporter you can ignore politics, but politics will not ignore you. We. Ident trump the Paris Agreement and stop all payments to Global Warming programs. The American Public and the like theirc feel mindsets are not being reflected. Instead of changing their worldview or mindset, they are doubting the facts. Reporter conservative voters particularly concerned scientists. For that group, trust in Scientific Research is that a is at a 40year low. How can scientists change that . I would love to see 20 of congress made up of the scientists and engineers, and we would have a different approach to governing if we didnt have that. Reporter rather than waiting for a seat at the table, they are going after it. She started a Political Action committee to train scientists for office. They think it can sometimes be a challenge for scientists to communicate with the general public, so we have been working with our candidates to facilitate that as well. Reporter how many would actually be interested . Turns out, a lot. 3000 have signed up for training. In government in general, they went straight at Public Policy with no expertise in area whatsoever. We need more politicians who gain expertise in an area come area, whether it is medicine,cience, agriculture, anything then come in with that knowledge and be able to make sound Public Policy. Reporter that is the long game, but to put science at the center of political conversation out now, they are taking a page from the womens march. Knowing a lot of scientists , it is announcing that it took so long for people to mobilize, and i think things got a lot more dramatic than the last month. Reporter caroline turned to twitter to organize the march for science in april. In just four hours, 10 followers turned into 30,000, i know over and now over 220 cities are planning marches of their own. Obviously, it would be great if it was an enormous cotton but enormous crowd, but it is not about the politicians seeing it, but the people doing the march. That you are surrounded by people that share this concern about the lack of evidencebased policies and passion for science. Brings this show to a close. You can find out more on our website at bbc. Com news, including the start of brexit proceedings between london and brussels. Me and the team by going to twitter. From me and the team in washington. So long. Make sense of International News at bbc. Com news. Funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation, newmans own foundation, giving all profits from newmans own to charity and pursuing the common good, kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for americas neglected needs, and everybody tourism authority. Planning a vacation escape that is relaxing, inviting, and exciting is a lot easier than you think. You can find it here in aruba. Families, couples, and friends can all find their escape on the island with warm sunny days, cooling trade winds, and the crystal blue caribbean sea. Nonstop flights are available from most major airports. More information for your vacation planning is available at aruba. Com. Bbc world news was presented by kcet los angeles. Captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc woodruff good evening, im judy woodruff. On the newshour tonight, brexit begins. Prime minister theresa may gives formal notice, starting the two year process of britains divorce from the European Union. Then, the invisible wounds of war why so many veterans struggle to get past the stigma of p. T. S. D. In order to get the help they need. A lot of times i did say okay, well maybe it is my emotions, maybe i do just need to push those aside and just toughen up and just move forward and drive on. Woodruff and, restoring floridas everglades why the ailing wetlands are at the center of a complex political and scientific battle. Its covered in this