for the next seven days, \ across all of those swing states — the candidates hitting several of them each day - as they are grasping for every single last voter in this - unbelievably tight contest. a week to go until the us presidential election, and donald trump and kamala harris are due to address voters in key battleground states. can they shift the polls that are currently too close to call? we'll be live in washington, dc and pennsylvania. also on the programme — more details are revealed ahead of tomorrow's budget, including a pay rise for three million people through an increase in the minimum wage. hamas officials say 93 palestinians have been killed in an israeli strike on beit lahia in northern gaza. and the images which reveal the wonders of a forgotten city, centuries old and found by chance beneath dense jungle in mexico.

the race for the white house is in its final week, with voters just days away from deciding who will succeed joe biden as the next president of the united states. with the polls still too close to call, kamala harris and donald trump are continuing their whirlwind tour of swing states, as they rally for votes. in around two hours' time, kamala harris will deliver a final big pitch to voters, her closing arguments, where she will urge americans to turn the page on donald trump. she'll be speaking from the same spot where mr trump rallied supporters before the january 6, 2021 us capitol attack. the harris campaign said she chose the symbolic site to push her case that the republican former president is a threat to american democracy. meanwhile, donald trump has also been closer to home today. the former president held a press conference in mar—a—lago, his home in florida, where he falsely said democrats had staged a "coup" to force presidentjoe biden

to drop his re—election bid. he also talked about the two attempted assassinations on him. who would want open borders, where millions of people can flow in from prisons and from gangs, gangs, the worst gang members anywhere in the world? who would want this for our country? who would want all of these transgender operations all over the place, like at will, even if you're in detention, "i want a transgender"? these are things she stood... who wants to defund the police? she's wanted her whole career to defund the police. she only changed recently. she changed on 15 different items — fracking. she was against fracking, at the highest level. wouldn't even think about it. now, all of the sudden, "oh, i like fracking very much." but they'd change after the election in about two minutes, and i think pennsylvania understands that. donald trump speaking a little earlier today. joining me from the ellipse

in washington, where kamala harris is due to speak later, our correspondent samira hussain. and from allentown in pennsylvania, where donald trump is due to attend a rally, will grant. thank you both for being with us. samira, just tell us what it's like where you are, how much expectation is there ahead of this last really big push by kamala harris? obviously she is touring all the states over the next few weeks, or the swing states, but tonight is really important for them? this is really about _ important for them? this is really about kamala - important for them? this is really about kamala harrisl really about kamala harris making herfinal pitch really about kamala harris making her final pitch to americans. especially to those americans. especially to those americans that still remain on the fence, whether they're going to vote for former president, rather, donald trump, orforvice president, rather, donald trump, orfor vice president trump, or for vice president kamala trump, orfor vice president kamala harris, and in her speech, there's going to be really too big sections that she's going to discuss post up in the first half of the speeches she's really going to talk about all the dangers of potentially voting in another donald trump presidency, that

he would not be protective of democracy, that he is really in it for his own interests, and it's not going to be president for every american. and then she will do what she's, she will turn the page in her speech and represent herself as the candidate to represent all americans. rememberthat this americans. remember that this speech americans. rememberthat this speech is happening on the ellipse, you can see the white house just behind ellipse, you can see the white housejust behind me. it is giving off a presidentialfeel, really trying to show the american public, any sort of misgivings you may have about a potential kamala harris presidency, there should be erased because she's here on the ellipse. erased because she's here on the ellipse-— erased because she's here on the ellipse. just explained for viewers what _ the ellipse. just explained for viewers what the _ the ellipse. just explained for viewers what the ellipse - the ellipse. just explained for viewers what the ellipse is . the ellipse. just explained for viewers what the ellipse is if. viewers what the ellipse is if they have not been.- they have not been. this is art they have not been. this is part of. — they have not been. this is part of. this _ they have not been. this is part of, this is _ they have not been. this is part of, this is a _ they have not been. this is part of, this is a private - they have not been. this is| part of, this is a private part of the park which is just adjacent to the national mall,

which is the public park, and that's where you have all the different parts of the american government, so you have the congress that's on one side, you and with statues and money was on the other side, and just in the middle is where you see the white house. this is the back face of the white house, and this is also where president trump, in 2016, rather, in 2020, had made that speech to americans, to his supporters, to go and march on the capital against what he called a stolen election. and after that, we know that there was the january 6 riots. it’s was the january 6 riots. it's incredibly _ was the january 6 riots. it's incredibly lively _ was the january 6 riots. it's incredibly lively where you are, samira, we can see that! let me bring in will grant, in allentown in pennsylvania. tell us what donald trump is going to be doing there. this us what donald trump is going to be doing there.— to be doing there. as you've been hearing _ to be doing there. as you've been hearing of— to be doing there. as you've been hearing of this - to be doing there. as you've been hearing of this week i to be doing there. as you've been hearing of this week is| been hearing of this week is really— been hearing of this week is reallyjust about getting that final—

reallyjust about getting that final message really hammered home _ final message really hammered home to — final message really hammered home to the electorate, particularly in places like pennsylvania, we are led to believe _ pennsylvania, we are led to believe that it is on an absolute knife edge. the people we have — absolute knife edge. the people we have been speaking to in the queue _ we have been speaking to in the queue on— we have been speaking to in the queue on their way into the convention centre to hear him speak— convention centre to hear him speak in— convention centre to hear him speak in the coming couple of hours. — speak in the coming couple of hours, interesting that so many of them — hours, interesting that so many of them think that a recent faux — of them think that a recent faux pas, _ of them think that a recent faux pas, apparently, by his campaign, made bya faux pas, apparently, by his campaign, made by a comedian during — campaign, made by a comedian during the — campaign, made bya comedian during the warm—up campaign, made by a comedian during the warm—up act campaign, made bya comedian during the warm—up act in madison _ during the warm—up act in madison square garden in new york, _ madison square garden in new york, where he made extremely offensive — york, where he made extremely offensive reference to puerto rico, — offensive reference to puerto rico, none of that is going to knock— rico, none of that is going to knock him _ rico, none of that is going to knock him off course, they believe _ knock him off course, they believe. we spoke to puerto ricans — believe. we spoke to puerto ricans here to underline their support— ricans here to underline their support and say they don't believe _ support and say they don't believe that he meant them, that— believe that he meant them, that he — believe that he meant them, that he meant any offence, that it does— that he meant any offence, that it does not come from him, so that— it does not come from him, so that kind — it does not come from him, so that kind of— it does not come from him, so that kind of element is interesting. what i also find kind — interesting. what i also find kind of— interesting. what i also find kind of interesting is the spread _ kind of interesting is the spread of people in the queue, the young voter who said he voted — the young voter who said he voted for _ the young voter who said he voted for him once in 2020, is voting — voted for him once in 2020, is voting again today, or this week, _ voting again today, or this week, i_ voting again today, or this week, i should say, with a lot

more — week, i should say, with a lot more security and belief that he thinks that donald trump is the right— he thinks that donald trump is the right direction for the country. _ the right direction for the country, and he said that he noticed _ country, and he said that he noticed there's this pushback from — noticed there's this pushback from his_ noticed there's this pushback from his group of friends when he save— from his group of friends when he says he is a trump supported -- less— he says he is a trump supported —— less pushback. certainly, mr trump— —— less pushback. certainly, mr trump is— —— less pushback. certainly, mr trump is preaching to the converted in the sku mac, in this— converted in the sku mac, in this event, the broader question is whether he's doing that to — question is whether he's doing that to the rest of pennsylvania because it is a really. _ pennsylvania because it is a really, really close race in this— really, really close race in this particular state.- really, really close race in this particular state. will, in terms of _ this particular state. will, in terms of spreading - this particular state. will, in terms of spreading the - this particular state. will, in - terms of spreading the message from that rally, lot of the clubs have pushed out on social media, clips, is it clear when you talk to people how they are getting their news or what issues are really convincing them or if editions the personality of donald trump that they are going for was blue yet, i think potentially the latter. i blue yet, i think potentially the latter-— the latter. i think the personality _ the latter. i think the personality of - the latter. i think the personality of the - the latter. i think the l personality of the men the latter. i think the - personality of the men of this election— personality of the men of this election should not be overlooked at all. not at any stage — overlooked at all. not at any stage. not in the final stages or on— stage. not in the final stages or on voting day itself, when we start— or on voting day itself, when we start rolling through the results. _ we start rolling through the results, the role of his personality in convincing a lot

of people _ personality in convincing a lot of people in this 0 mac that he has the — of people in this 0 mac that he has the right kind of man, that his platform is strong, even though— his platform is strong, even though when you start getting them — though when you start getting them in — though when you start getting them in on the details, they say, — them in on the details, they say, yeah, i'm not keen on that policy, — say, yeah, i'm not keen on that policy, i— say, yeah, i'm not keen on that policy, i don't believe we should _ policy, i don't believe we should necessarily deport 10 million — should necessarily deport 10 million immigrants, and so on and so— million immigrants, and so on and so forth. it's more that, i think— and so forth. it's more that, i think that _ and so forth. it's more that, i think that he is the right guy. so that— think that he is the right guy. so that is_ think that he is the right guy. so that is interesting, and i think— so that is interesting, and i think you _ so that is interesting, and i think you hit on a good point that— think you hit on a good point that said. _ think you hit on a good point that said, we talked to a lot of people about the issue of abortion. that clearly resonates for that particular audience, this particular audience, this particular audience, who are clearly against _ audience, who are clearly against abortion, and believe that— against abortion, and believe that he — against abortion, and believe that he is— against abortion, and believe that he is the right choice in that— that he is the right choice in that regard. even though it does — that regard. even though it does look like his position on abortion— does look like his position on abortion is putting off a lot of independence and is where kamala — of independence and is where kamala harris is doing well with— kamala harris is doing well with women particularly. will grant, samara _ with women particularly. ll grant, samara hussein, thank you so much for your insights there. i am you so much for your insights there. lam reallyjealous because i would love to be

there talking to those voters, but we will be back with you, i'm sure, in the coming hours. super strength synthetic opioid drugs, which have been linked to more than 200 deaths in the past year, have been found in fake medicines in the uk. nitazenes, which are up to 500 times stronger than morphine, are being sold online claiming to treat conditions like anxiety, allergies and sleeping problems. our correspondent navtej johal has spoken to the family of a 23—year—old student found dead last year after taking a substance contaminated with the opioid. singing watching alex perform and hearing him sing was, i'd say, one of the biggest joys ever in my life. i feel like alex's love for music was... like for many people, it was an escape from the struggles of daily life.

alex harpum dreamed of becoming an opera singer. injuly last year, he'd just finished his degree at a prestigious music school when he was found dead in his student flat. he was 23 years old. in his bedroom, police found anti—anxiety medication he'd taken that turned out to be fake. tests later revealed the pills contained nitazenes — super—strength synthetic opioids. half of me has gone, that will never come back. i miss him all day every day. alex was my best friend. there's no—one else i can talk to now that really gets me. i'll never recover from it, truly. it's not known why alex bought the pills. he's one of hundreds of people in the past year whose deaths have been linked to nitazenes.

bbc research can reveal nitazenes have now also been found in fake medicines sold as being able to treat conditions like anxiety or insomnia. we've analysed results from the national drug testing service wedinos and found 130 instances in the 12 months to september where people tried to buy medication found to have been contaminated by nitazenes. experts say some people are seeking out prescription medicines illegally because they want to self—medicate. the united nations says it's concerned that the contamination of these medicines by dealers could be deliberate and mirrors the start of the us opioid crisis. so here in europe, we are not yet in that situation. but these could be the early signs. the national crime agency says nitazenes are being created in illicit labs in china and entering the uk in the post. 15 synthetic opioids were banned in march, and last month, the government proposed legislation to ban more. but alex's family want

to see more drug testing and are warning that anyone can be affected by nitazenes. i think there are a lot of parents out there that assume that their kids would never do anything like this, and maybe seeing alex's profile, who he was, what he was doing in life, itjust perhaps makes makes people think twice. navtejjohal, bbc news. joining me is dr caroline copeland, senior lecturer in pharmacology and toxicology at king's college london. thank you for being with us. white is there such a rise in these synthetic drugs at the moment? 50 these synthetic drugs at the moment?— these synthetic drugs at the moment? , _ . moment? so these synthetic oioids moment? so these synthetic opioids which _ moment? so these synthetic opioids which the _ moment? so these synthetic opioids which the nitazenes i opioids which the nitazenes are, they are quite cheap to make, they are quite easy to make, they are quite easy to make and because they are so potent, they are easier to smuggle and traffic than something that's less potent, that you need to move more of, such as heroin.— such as heroin. and does that make it easier _

such as heroin. and does that make it easier for _ such as heroin. and does that make it easier for them - such as heroin. and does that i make it easier for them to have make it easierfor them to have these terrible consequences, for people to overdose on them? exactly, because they are so strong, the tiniest amount can prove fatal. i actually weighed out, to see what it fatal dose of some of these diseases look like, and it is the size of a speck of dust or a grain of sand —— some of these nitazene. how much is the rise in nitazenes related to the decline in poppy production in afghanistan? 50 decline in poppy production in afghanistan?— decline in poppy production in afghanistan? so we don't know for sure, afghanistan? so we don't know for sure. but — afghanistan? so we don't know for sure, but the _ afghanistan? so we don't know for sure, but the delavan - for sure, but the delavan banning opium cultivation in 2021 has likely caused a perceived shortage of heroin which has increased the price in heroin for sale, and so if less heroin can be bought, how are we going to give the people perching as the same experience or train perching as the same experience ortrain mimic the perching as the same experience or train mimic the same experience, and that's were

mixing in alternatives within the same drug class comes in, which is where we think we are now seeing these synthetic opioids appear. at}?! now seeing these synthetic opioids appear.— now seeing these synthetic opioids appear. of course, as we heard _ opioids appear. of course, as we heard in — opioids appear. of course, as we heard in that _ opioids appear. of course, as we heard in that terrible - we heard in that terrible report, people who were not taking illegal drugs but are taking illegal drugs but are taking what they think might be medicine to help them, are also getting caught up in this. what can be done? what's the advice to people, presumably not to take anything without a prescription?— take anything without a prescription? exactly. so if ou are prescription? exactly. so if you are seeking _ prescription? exactly. so if. you are seeking prescription meds, get them legitimately through your gp and an nhs registered pharmacy. dealers have learned that it's quite easy to cut alternative drugs into the preparations the people think they are purchasing, and itjust makes using illegitimate drugs very dangerous at a time to do so right now. idr dangerous at a time to do so right now— dangerous at a time to do so riaht now. , . ._ .,, .

right now. dr carolyn copeland, from king's _ right now. dr carolyn copeland, from king's college _ right now. dr carolyn copeland, from king's college in _ right now. dr carolyn copeland, from king's college in london, | from king's college in london, thank you so much. and if you've been affected by any of the issues, you can find details of organisations that offer information and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. on the eve of labour's first budget for 1h years, the government has announced more details of what will be in it for the nhs, including £1.57 billion for new surgical hubs, scanners and radiotherapy machines. the funding is part of the government's overall pledge to increase the number of nhs hospital appointments and procedures in england by 40,000 per week. health secretary wes streeting said the budget will help to "start fixing the foundation" of the nhs but warned it "will take time to turn the situation around". also among measures to be announced by rachel reeves in herfirst budget as chancellor — three million low paid workers are to be given a pay rise of more than 6% next year as the national living wage is to be increased. the government says the increase will be worth £1,400 a year for a full time worker. with more, here's our business editor, simonjack.

a pay rise for millions is on the way, and it went down well in cardiff today. it makes finding a job that can pay the bills a lot easier, because many people my age have been struggling for years with this minimum wage. especially what it is at the moment, it's not enough. i don't feel like... yeah, i think it should be raised, for sure. there's young adults out| there who are starting to build up for their own future, to go move into their own- houses and have a life - by themselves, so raising it up would make it easier for everyone. - the government announced today the minimum wage for workers 21 years old and over will rise from £11.44 an hour to £12.21, a 6.7% rise, while workers aged 18—20 will see minimum pay rise from £8.60 to £10 an hour, a rise of over 16%. but for employers in sectors like hospitality, which employ a lot of young workers, it's another item on the rising expenses bill.

it will cost me between 3,000—3,500 pounds a week, so crudely, 150—180 grand a year. i think it will result in more closures, and i believe it will result in fewer openings, and that is going to be bad for the economy, bad for the treasury and i would argue bad for society. businesses of all kind warmed to the messages coming from the government about being pro—business, pro—growth