this is bbc news. i'm kasia madera, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. a strict night—time curfew is imposed in paris and eight other french cities, as the president tries to contain he rising spread of coronavirus. tough new restrictions in the uk, with schools closing in northern ireland and pubs and restaurants also clamping down. could grey power he the by factor in the presidential election? we'll report from a retiring — but not shy — battle ground in florida. four years ago, donald trump won a huge victory this is bbc news. the headlines... here in the villages. but the latest polls suggest thatjoe biden is well ahead amongst the over—65s. a strict night—time curfew has been imposed in paris how black voters in the us and eight other french cities presidential election as president macron tries are being affected by voter to contain the rising spread of coronavirus. suppression in france reported 22,591 the state of georgia. new confirmed cases

on wednesday and it's become the ninth country in the world to pass 33,000 deaths. tough new restrictions are coming into force in the uk, with schools closing in northern ireland for two weeks. all pubs and restaurants, hello, and welcome. hairdressers and beauticians will also have to shut their doors for a month. the french president emmanuel macron has ordered a night—time police in thailand have moved in to disperse curfew for paris and eight pro—democracy protersters other french cities to contain who have gathered around the rising spread of covid—19. government house in speaking on french television the capital bangkok. it came after the government in the last few hours, brought in an emergency decree, president macron said, "we have to act. following a series of protests. we need to put a brake they've banned gatherings on the spread of the virus." of more than five people. in addition to paris, the measures apply to grenoble, lille, lyon, marseille, montpellier, rouen, saint—etienne, and toulouse. residents will be banned from going outdoors between 9pm to 6am from saturday. france reported 22,591 new confirmed coronavirus cases on wednesday, and it's become the ninth country in the world

to pass 33,000 deaths. this is president macron from that tv appearance just a few hours ago. translation: if during these six weeks we follow the curfew and act collectively to reduce the number of contacts, that's the point at which we think we can progressively start to open up again. i'm being very careful here because experience has shown we can't control everything. we can't outline everything, but six weeks seems to us to be the best duration for our actions. 0ur paris correspondent, lucy williamson, says there's a sense in france that tougher measures are needed. well, i think there is a growing sense that the current measures aren't really up to the job. you had the head of the paris regional hospitals this week saying that he thought, by the end of october, 70—90% of the intensive care beds in the paris region would be occupied by covid patients. so i think for the government, this is something of a trade—off — it wants to keep

schools and workplaces open, so instead it's shutting everything else from 9pm in these nine major cities. restaurants, cinemas, theatres — now whether or not that stops student parties and other kinds of banned activity is well in question, it'll certainly have an economic impact because some of these cities — notjust paris, but marseilles, toulouse, lyon, lille — they're some of the big economic centres of france. and when you look at the map, not only that, but what's really striking as how they cover the length and breadth of this country. local curfews, yes, but this is not a problem that's confined any more to one region or one part of france. lucy williamson in paris. in germany, chancellor angela markel has announced a plan to tighten restictions saying that the coronavirus infections were growing exponentially in the country. there will be new measures including more mask wearing, a curfew for bars, and limits on people meeting in areas of high transmission.

mrs merkel urged young germans to forgo parties for now in order to enjoy life later. britain's prime minister boris johnson has insisted his three tier regional approach to tackling the virus in england is the best way to limit the rise in cases, and to avoid what he described as the "misery" of a full lockdown. latest uk figures show that nearly 20,000 new coronavirus cases were recorded on wednesday — that's an increase of more than 2,000 compared with tuesday. the figures also show there were 137 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. northern ireland is now set to impose the toughest coronavirus restrictions anywhere in the uk. from 6pm on friday, all pubs and restaurants, hairdressers, and beauticians, will have to shut their doors for a month. schools will close for two weeks — one of them being the half—term break. 0ur ireland correspondent

emma vardy reports. nightlife no more. soon, the streets of belfast will again be subdued. i don't know if it is the right move to make. the restrictions are kind of hard. i don't see how buying alcohol after 8pm is going to make a difference. but clap they might... an extended holiday is on the way for pupils — two weeks instead of one for the half—term break. but the restrictions have come with just a few days' notice for parents in northern ireland, who will now have children at home from monday. nobody knows what they're doing and they‘ re just changing the rules every single day. actually, for people who are going to school, people who have no childcare, people have to get people to mind their kids, i think it's terrible. it doesn't help, especially parents that can't help their kids properly. some need school and need the extra help, as well. it's always good to get a bit of notice so that you can make plans and contingency plans. you have a lot of children taking the free school meals, things like that that you have

to check out in the background and make sure those children are going to be catered for. it can't be done just instantly. a return to tighter restrictions mustn't roll on indefinitely, say political leaders but, after late—night disagreements at stormont last night, it took some time for all parties to agree just how far they should go. the tougher restrictions were a compromise, after sinn fein had pushed to go further, but the dup was holding back. these decisions will make a huge impact on people's lives, but they are for four weeks. we're very determined that this will be a time—limited intervention. the public health advice initially suggested six weeks would be the optimum, but clearly after discussion what we have arrived at is a two—week holiday for schools. that is very much based on the public health advice. this restaurant in belfast had onlyjust reopened a week ago. now it's estimated the new closures will come at a cost of £700 million to northern ireland's economy.

i just feel numb. i feel we've put so much into this and i feel hospitality are getting hung out to dry. hello, i'm amy, and i'm home, self—isolating for the next... in derry and strabane, a lot of pupils are already off. this area has the highest rate of infections in the uk. spare a thought forjacob, into his third week of isolating at home, where his mother and brother have tested positive. how are you coping? it's very, very tricky. i have to wear a mask every time i leave my room. i have to disinfect the kitchen. the bathroom, as well. the slow but steady creep of rising cases since august has seen medical advisers in northern ireland pushing to lock down much harder. too little, too late. we need to be stricter, we need to have more severe restrictions for a longer period of time because we have a real problem in secondary care in hospitals, and we don't want to be overwhelmed.

once again, the wait begins to see whether these restrictions on the lives of people in northern ireland will have enough of an effect and whether larger parts of the uk may follow. the welsh government is to introduce a ban against people from coronavirus hotspots in the rest of the uk visiting wales. the westminster government has repeatedly refused requests from the welsh first minister for travel to be restricted. mark drakeford said he would go ahead on friday if borisjohnson didn't impose travel restrictions in england. donald trump's wife, melania, has revealed that their 14—year—old son, barron, also tested positive for covid—i9. she said he was a strong teenager and had suffered no symptoms. in a personal statement, the us first lady described her own symptoms as minimal, but said she'd suffered from aches, a cough, and tiredness.

the government in thailand has brought in an emergency decree, following a series of protests in bangkok. they have banned gatherings of more than five people, and outlawed publication of news or online messages that — in their words — affect national security. and this is the situation live now in bangkok — police have moved into disperse the pro—democracy protesters from the area around government house following that decree. the police have used riot shields to drive back the lines of protesters and clear the area. tens of thousands of protesters had marched in bangkok earlier on wednesday, confronting a motorcade carrying the king and calling for the resignation of prime minister prayuth chan—ocha. that's the situation their life right now with the police barricade there. let's get some of the day's other news... the us state department has

announced new measures in response to china's crackdown in hong kong. its already imposed sanctions against ten people, including hong kong's leader, carrie lam. now washington has warned of sanctions against global financial institutions doing business with them. the president of the european council has said it is in the interests of both sides to have a post—brexit agreement in place before end of the year. but he said it couldn't be at any price. the uk's prime minister boris johnson had issued a deadline of thursday, but this has been delyed until the european council's summit ends on friday. a fierce offensive by the taliban in helmand has seen fighters reach within two kilometres of the centre of the provincial capital, lashkar gah. it's the most significant attack by the insurgents against afghan government forces since peace talks began in qatar a month ago. the conflict has forced an estimated 35,000 civilians to flee their homes in helmand.

donald trump is bouncing back after his coronavirus infection, trying to make up for lost time just 20 days before the election. at his rallies this week in florida and pennsylvania, supporters have packed in without any regard for the social distancing rules. and again, tonight mr trump will be flouting white house guidance. he tells them there is nothing to be afraid of. but that message is not landing so well with seniors or suburban white women — as our north america editorjon sopel reports. # people all over the world, join hands... it's the morning aqua aerobics class, and these elderly ladies are being invited by the instructor to join the "love train". but once they get out of the water, it will be the incessant demands to board either the trump train or the biden bandwagon. but they don't seem happy travellers, as i discovered at an impromptu focus group. how many of you just want this election to be over? cheering.

laughter. they all live at the villages, america's biggest retirement community. and when i say big, i mean humongous — it has a population of 130,000, it covers an area bigger than southampton, and sprawls over five postcodes. the preferred mode of transport — golf carts. and early voting is under way. the grey vote is critical for donald trump's reelection. but not all republicans are seeing it as black—and—white. i am thinking that biden will win. does that make you happy or unhappy? actually i prefer the republican platform, so i am voting for the republican platform is what i'm voting for. not necessarily trump, but the platform. this is a very, very important election, and i made sure that my democraticjoe biden vote got in early and on time. are you confident he might win? yes. can you be confident with the "might"? i'm confident he will! the parties know how they're doing in these postal votes,

and democrats have a spring in their step. the votes that have been cast so far are all vote—by—mail. and the return is higher than ever before. and well over 50% are democratic. and that says to me that the momentum that we felt building to this moment is still there and still growing. four years ago, donald trump won a huge victory here in the villages. but the latest polls suggest thatjoe biden is well ahead amongst the over—65s. and if that turns out to be true on polling day, that could be the difference between success and failure in florida. but, just like four years ago, the republicans are saying don't believe everything you read in the polls. trump is a bombastic personality. a lot of people really appreciate that. a lot of people like it if you ask somebody a question, you get an answer. and donald trump will give you an answer.

and i think a lot of people appreciate that. not a blade of grass out of place. it looks genteel. but don't be fooled. there is a vicious and unrelenting fight going on that won't stop until november the 3rd. jon sopel, bbc news, florida. back to the us now, and donald trump's nominee for supreme court, amy coney barrett, is facing tough questions in the us senate for the third day of her nomination hearing. her likely confirmation will mean a 6—3 conservative majority on the court. the life—time appointment is being challenged by democrats, saying that the court vacancy should be filled by whoever wins the election. republicans are pushing for a full senate vote before the november presidential election. in wednesday's hearings, judge barrett attempted to reassure democratic senators, worried about her alleged hostility to president 0bama's affordable care act. well, as i said yesterday, what i can say is that i certainly have no agenda,

i'm not on a mission, i'm not hostile to the aca at all. and if i were on the court and if a case involving the aca came before me, i would approach it with an open mind — just like i do every case — and go through the process that we've discussed. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: 200 nights in a tent — and counting. we'll tell you why a british boy is paying tribute to his neighbour and raising money for charity along the way. parts of san francisco least affected by the earthquake are returning to life, but in the marina area — where most of the damage was done — they are more conscious than ever of how much has been destroyed. in the 19 years since he was last here, he has gone from being a little—known revolutionary to an

experienced and successful diplomatic operator. it was a 20—pound bomb which exploded on the fifth floor of the grand hotel, ripping a hole in the front of the building. this government will not weaken, democracy will prevail! it fills me with humility and gratitude to know that i have been chosen as the recipient of this this prestigious honour. this catholic nation held its breath for the men they called the 33. and then... bells toll. ..bells tolled nationwide to announce the first rescue and chile let out an almighty roar. this is bbc news, the latest headlines...

a strict night—time curfew is imposed in paris and eight other french cities as the president tries to contain he rising spread of coronavirus. tough new restrictions in the uk, with schools closing in northern ireland and pubs and restaurants also clamping down. more now on the rise of coronavirus cases here. the liverpool city region is so far the only area of england to be placed in the highest level — tier three. our special correspondent ed thomas has been to liverpool and the wirral to find out how the new measures have worked out. shutting down... time, please. can you drink up? saying goodbye... for anna, it's notjust her job, this is her home. it's my livelihood, the people who work for me have mortgages and kids. i'm bitter and angry. could this be the end of you? can you last six months? i haven't got six months in me. this was repeated in pubs and bars across the liverpool city region last night, closing their doors for up to six months. as an industry, as a city

and a country, this is not good enough. joe is worried about his bar and his staff. it could bring cases down. of course, but the choices they've made and the legislation they've put in place doesn't work. we're all going to struggle so much. it's going to be such a dark place for so many people. we have been telling each other for months, "we will figure a way out", and now it's the end, there is no way out. it's done. this was the reaction from some at closing time last night, gone 10pm in liverpool city centre. this morning, open defiance. this gym on the wirral — like all gyms, ordered to close under tier—3 covid rules — has refused. it's illegal, why are you doing this? we're doing this for our members and our city. the best part of 100,000 people in merseyside use the gym. the potential health implications are drastic. why put people at risk?

we don't feel there is a risk. the stats suggest they are not at risk here. local leaders insist this was a government decision. the metro mayor here says he hopes gyms open soon but also warned people to follow the rules. nobody wants people to curtail freedoms but we have tier—3 restrictions in place from today, and they are the law. the alternative is to see our city region overrun with sickness and death. in march and april, there was a sense of togetherness felt across the country, but speak to many here on merseyside and it's not the same today. there is a sense of anger and mistrust, but the major problem is that covid cases are rising quickly, and so, too, are hospital admissions and deaths. when you do go out, you are totally on edge. that's a real worry for sue, blind and living alone. am i going to be locked in here

for the next six months? that's how i feel. if i got the virus, i'm on my own. who is going to look after me? life is going to change. tier—3 covid rules are here, but the hope is that lives will also be saved. ed thomas, bbc news, merseyside. as early voting begins in the us presidential election, campaigners in the state of georgia say a historic problem has reappeared. it's called "voter suppression" and ranges from excessively strict identity requirements to purges of electoral rolls — all of which disproportionately affect black voters. 0ur correspondent larry madowo reports from atlanta. waiting for hours. long lines at polling locations at the primary elections in georgia injune. i've covered elections in other democracies in africa, like nigeria and south africa,

where america is seen as a beacon of democracy. but for some of its citizens, like here in the heart of atlanta, it is a game of cards — and they have been dealt a bad hand. we may have votes, but a lot of votes are going to be suppressed. and they could be every reason they can use to strike the ballot, like felonies or signatures not matching. officials at georgia's largest county are looking for redemption after accusations of voter suppression. fulton rolled out a mobile voting unit to serve voters who have been frustrated too many times. how are you, sir? fine, are you all right? i'm good, thank you. this is a first in the state of georgia? yes, sir, and we're very proud of it. but a voting station on wheels won't drive away strict voter identification laws that make it harderfor minorities to vote. long lines, missing ballots, and voting machine failures

at the primary elections were also widely criticised as instances of voter suppression. nearly 200,000 people were incorrectly removed from the state's voter rolls in 2019, according to the american civil liberties union of georgia. a lot of the rules that seem to be reasonable if you're a middle—class person who works a white collarjob and drives a car, actually end up being voter suppression from the point of view of the person who moves a lot, who's low—income, who's working a minimum wage job. those fighting and documenting what they consider voter suppression here say some tactics are deliberate, others just sheer incompetence. but they say these are all signs of a fragile democracy. they consider it a battle worth fighting, because civil rights in this country have come too far to turn back. officials hope 80% of people will vote early or by absentee ballot to reduce the strain on election day. that was pretty easy.

my staff, if you were to go around and ask them if they would participate in any sort of voter suppression tactics, i think you would get a resounding "no". i mean, that is not... we've done everything — since 2013, when i arrived, the only thing that we've been focused on is enfranchising voters. thank you for waiting. you're welcome. thank you for waiting. a record turnout is expected in this election but, in the world's most famous democracy, full access to voting is not yet the full guarantee that has been promised. larry madowo, bbc news, atlanta. lots more on our website when it comes to the us election. here a ten—year—old boy has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity by camping out in his back garden. max woosey has been sleeping under the stars in a tent left to him by his neighbour, rick, who died in february. max has been there ever since — that's more than 200 days!

jon kay has more. night 205 and, as max goes to bed, once again he is remembering his hero — rick, his neighbour, who died of cancer earlier this year and left max his tent. he was amazing, he loved the outdoors. he said to me, "you've got to promise me that you will have an adventure," and i said, "yes, iwill, i promise you that." and what an adventure he's had. since march, max has slept in the garden every night, despite all the dangers he's encountered. in the middle of the night, iwas, like, ooh, that hurts, but fell back to sleep. woke up in the morning with a red ant, loads of bites all around my leg. the tent has had so much use, he has had to get a new one, big enough for diggy the labradoodle to join him from time to time. you've got a house here with a bedroom with a nice, warm bed.

it's been the tidiest ever! i've never seen it this tidy! are you ever tempted to go inside in the middle of the night? no, no. being able to have your own space instead of your parents checking on you... it's the middle of october now. very soon it's going to be cold and wet and wintry. are you prepared to do this, keep going? yeah, yeah. even if it's snowy, i'll build an igloo and live in it. max says he's going to do a full year under canvas and there's a very big incentive. he has already raised tens of thousands of pounds for the hospice that cared for his hero. if rick was still alive, i think he would be by my side in a different tent right now. jon kay, bbc news, braunton in north devon. good luck to max, he's got all his teddies there and not listening to a word thatjohn is saying, trying to put them

off staying in that tent. you can reach us at off staying in that tent. you can reach us at oui’ off staying in that tent. you can reach us at our website. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @bbckasiamadera. hello there. when you think back to the start of october and just how wet it was, it's probably a good thing, actually, that we are in the midst of quite a quiet spell of weather. for many of us, we will have skies like these over the next few days, often pretty cloudy but with some brighter spells at times. high—pressure to the north of the uk, low—pressure in northern italy, and between these two areas of pressure, we've got north easterly winds feeding in. those northeasterly winds are dragging in a lot of cloud from the north sea, thick enough to bring some scattered showers across eastern areas of scotland at the moment. and we've got a few heavy showersjust running into northeast england — although these will ease over the coming few hours. temperatures about 5—8 celsius for most, a bit colder where the skies do manage to stay clearest longest. on into thursday, then, and these northeasterly winds

will continue to feed the cloud and for many areas. the west is best in terms of any sunshine. but i suspect we will have quite a few showers at times through the morning across the wash area. and then the showers probably break out more widely across east anglia as we head into the afternoon. all the while, we'll see this line of showers through most of the day affecting east kent and running on into the channel islands where, for some, it could be quite wet. although, for many of us, again, away from those eastern areas, it will be a relatively dry day. brisk northeast winds gusting about 30 mph around some of the north sea coasts will make it feel rather cool. now, we still have those northeasterly winds for friday, but if anything, they're a little bit less strong. again, friday is the day with not a lot of cloud around, a few bright or sunny spells, and we will continue to see an odd shower or two popping up. the majority of these, again, affecting eastern parts of scotland and eastern areas of england. what about the weekend weather prospects? well, a lot more of that cloudy weather on the horizon with a few light showers from time to time.

now, you'll start to notice the winds going round to more of a northerly direction across the far north of scotland bringing the showers in here. so a greater chance of seeing some showers for shetland where things will start to get a little bit cooler. otherwise, again, a lot of cloud around, some bright or sunny spells and temperatures 11—14 celsius. sunday sees that colder air moving a little bit further southwards across the north of scotland. so temperatures will be dipping away here. again, a lot of cloud, a few brighter spells, but i think a greater chance of seeing showers across the northern half of the country, turning colder in aberdeen, 00:28:30,530 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 highs of eight on sunday.