i'm sumi somaskanda. with six days to go until the us presidential election, both candidates are targeting key battle ground states as they make their final appeal to voters. these are live pictures of madison, wisconsin where kamala harris is holding a rally. she's been visiting three swing states on wednesday, making stops in north carolina, pennsylvania, and here in wisconsin. and here's donald trump campaigning in green bay, wisconsin. this is the singer gracie abrams. earlierwe this is the singer gracie abrams. earlier we saw the mayor speaking in support of kamala harris. he's wearing a high visibility vest. earlier, he spoke to reporters from a garbage truck — seeking to amplify a remark made by president biden in which he appeared to call mr trump's supporters "garbage." let's hear donald trump's response. how do you like my garbage truck— how do you like my garbage truck was_ how do you like my garbage truck was not _ how do you like my garbage

truck was not this _ how do you like my garbage truck was not this truck- how do you like my garbage truck was not this truck is i how do you like my garbage truck was not this truck is ini truck was not this truck is in honour_ truck was not this truck is in honour of— truck was not this truck is in honour of kamala _ truck was not this truck is in honour of kamala joe - truck was not this truck is in| honour of kamala joe biden. in the battleground state of north carolina, kamala harris focused her speech around saving democracy and unity. and i pledge to you — i will listen to experts. i will listen to those impacted by the decisions i make and to people who disagree with me. cheering and shouting hey, everybody, 0k. you know, see, this is the thing because we know we're actually fighting for a democracy. and unlike donald trump, i don't believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. he wants to put them in jail. i'll give them a seat at the table. her pledge to hear republicans

as well as democrats came after she was asked about those comments made by us president joe biden that his critics say show him referring to all trump supporters as "garbage". the white house and biden himself offered a different explanation, saying he was referring to the comedian at a trump rally earlier this week, who referred to puerto rico as a "floating island of garbage". earlier, i spoke to stephanie rawlings—blake — former mayor of baltimore — and lisa james — former victory director of the arizona republican party and i started by asking for their reactions to biden�*s comments. when you take a look at the race that the vice president has run, it's almost been flawless. she has delivered whether it's the debate, whether it's the debate, whether it's the last night at the... she has delivered. so, to be distracted by president biden�*s remarks is unfortunate, but i think she's going to recover. you saw donald trump today had to bring out a stunt with the garbage can just to

distract people from the fact that kamala harris had an amazing showing last night and she did really, really well. at least he got her name right toda . ., i. least he got her name right toda . ., _, ., least he got her name right toda . ., ., , today. lisa, do you agree? this does play _ today. lisa, do you agree? this does play into _ today. lisa, do you agree? this does play into some _ today. lisa, do you agree? this does play into some of - today. lisa, do you agree? this does play into some of the - does play into some of the ideas we've heard from donald trump in the past that his supporters feel that they are seen by the democrats as lesser people. seen by the democrats as lesser ”eole. .,, seen by the democrats as lesser --eole. ., , ., people. so, it was a big moment because it _ people. so, it was a big moment because it took _ people. so, it was a big moment because it took the _ people. so, it was a big moment because it took the narrative - because it took the narrative which — because it took the narrative which was going one way from a rally— which was going one way from a rally at— which was going one way from a rally at madison square garden 's rally at madison square garden '5 to— rally at madison square garden '5 to this — rally at madison square garden 's to this conversation. the trump _ 's to this conversation. the trump campaign... it's also a real_ trump campaign... it's also a real concern. we're talking about _ real concern. we're talking about a _ real concern. we're talking about a person at the top of the ticket who never received one primary vote, who hasn't spent — one primary vote, who hasn't spent the _ one primary vote, who hasn't spent the last four years at joe biden's side —— who has, and — joe biden's side —— who has, and assure _ joe biden's side —— who has, and assure the american people that nothing was wrong, there is nothing to see, joe biden was — is nothing to see, joe biden was for— is nothing to see, joe biden was for to serve. you can't have it — was for to serve. you can't have it both ways. now she

finds — have it both ways. now she finds up— have it both ways. now she finds up the candidate and she said again defending things that— said again defending things thatjoe biden has said. she that joe biden has said. she has said i— that joe biden has said. she has said i might _ thatjoe biden has said. sue: has said i might go ahead, stephanie. i has said i might go ahead, stephanie-— has said i might go ahead, stephanie. i don't think she defended — stephanie. i don't think she defended what _ stephanie. i don't think she defended what biden - stephanie. i don't think she defended what biden said l stephanie. i don't think she | defended what biden said at all. she said that she does not stand by those remarks. she does not believe that trump supporters are garbage, and there's a seat for them at her table. she said that very clearly. what's funny for me as while she stands behind biden, where is trump's vice president on four years ago?— where is trump's vice president on four years ago? lisa, kamala harris to distance _ on four years ago? lisa, kamala harris to distance herself - on four years ago? lisa, kamala harris to distance herself from l harris to distance herself from those remarks, butjoe biden is the president and she is and who knows penetration. do you think these comments could have an impact on voters —— she is in his administration? an impact on voters -- she is in his administration?- in his administration? both campaigners _ in his administration? both campaigners are _ in his administration? both campaigners are campaigning 24/7, — campaigners are campaigning 24/7, hit— campaigners are campaigning 24/7, hit especially on swing states — 24/7, hit especially on swing states and people are listening. i would say they are very— listening. i would say they are very few— listening. i would say they are very few undecided voters left and they— very few undecided voters left and they pay attention to what the candidates say. i think

bottom _ the candidates say. i think bottom line is people are going to look— bottom line is people are going to look to — bottom line is people are going to look to the future of who's better— to look to the future of who's better to _ to look to the future of who's better to the economy, who's going — better to the economy, who's going to — better to the economy, who's going to make sure that they can feed _ going to make sure that they can feed their families, pay their— can feed their families, pay their rent, put gas in their car, — their rent, put gas in their car, have— their rent, put gas in their car, have ajob, have their rent, put gas in their car, have a job, have security. if car, have a job, have security. if you — car, have a job, have security. if you look— car, have a job, have security. if you look at history and you took — if you look at history and you took at — if you look at history and you look at evenjust if you look at history and you look at even just the past eight _ look at even just the past eight years, in general, people were _ eight years, in general, people were better off and fillmore sapir— were better off and fillmore sapir when donald trump —— feel more _ sapir when donald trump —— feel more secure, to lead them with a better— more secure, to lead them with a better life. inflation, unaffordable housing, gas prices, _ unaffordable housing, gas prices, so they're looking at how — prices, so they're looking at how this _ prices, so they're looking at how this affects them personally and when they look at that, — personally and when they look at that, i— personally and when they look at that, i think that missteps or referring to people as garbage, especially hard—working people, is going to make — hard—working people, is going to make a _ hard—working people, is going to make a difference. you can't say you — to make a difference. you can't say you would have done nothing different — say you would have done nothing different thanjoe biden, and it's late — different thanjoe biden, and it's late to separate yourself now — it's late to separate yourself now. although what she said was the correct —

now. although what she said was the correct thing to say. stephanie, if you listen to the closing argument that kamala harris has been making of the campaign trail, it has been drawn contrast between herself and donald trump, who she said is a danger if you had a second turn. what a lot of people are worried about is the affordability, grocery prices and gas prices. i affordability, grocery prices and gas prices.— affordability, grocery prices and gas prices. i think when ou and gas prices. i think when you look— and gas prices. i think when you look at _ and gas prices. i think when you look at the _ and gas prices. i think when you look at the economist's| you look at the economist's comments about the economic plans, they say the average american family would be better under vice president harris's plan, point blank. the terror scheme that donald trump has been touting will be attacked on the middle class. we can talk about feelings and whether you feel like things are better, but the facts are more jobs were created under democrats. the prices are coming down under democrats. we can talk about what people feel like, and trump has been doing

that, trying to convince everyone that we are doing and gloom. we are not, america is a great country with great promise. we don't have to gaslight the american people in order to be successful. let’s order to be successful. let's talk a bit — order to be successful. let's talk a bit about _ order to be successful. let's talk a bit about turnout, - order to be successful. let'sl talk a bit about turnout, lisa. it does seem like the partisan voters already know who they cast their ballots for. it is the undecided motors. do you think donald trump and his campaign can turn them out in big numbers? i campaign can turn them out in big numbers?— big numbers? i think the operation _ big numbers? i think the operation that _ big numbers? i think the operation that i've - big numbers? i think the operation that i've seen | big numbers? i think the - operation that i've seen here on ground in arizona, a swing state, _ on ground in arizona, a swing state. has _ on ground in arizona, a swing state, has been phenomenal. i've state, has been phenomenal. i've had — state, has been phenomenal. i've had people reach out to me that saidm _ i've had people reach out to me that said... i've had people knock— that said... i've had people knock on _ that said... i've had people knock on my door every single week— knock on my door every single week and _ knock on my door every single week and i_ knock on my door every single week and i am in a democrat neighbourhood. these are republican party and trump campaign and victory campaign, different— campaign and victory campaign, different collisions that are out there. they're going into neighbourhoods they haven't gone — neighbourhoods they haven't gone into. there's a definite effort — gone into. there's a definite effort to— gone into. there's a definite effort to turn out and explain

to people why it's in their best— to people why it's in their best interest to vote. stephanie, what's your thought in the turnout and what democrats see their strengths? the democratic strategy of doorknocking, of calling, of really focusing on mobilising in these swing states has been outstanding. i think when you look at states like north carolina and michigan, the numbers are showing that in democratic strongholds especially, people are coming out. ,, , ., ., out. stephanie, if you were on the harris _ out. stephanie, if you were on the harris team _ out. stephanie, if you were on the harris team right - out. stephanie, if you were on the harris team right now- out. stephanie, if you were on the harris team right now with less than a week left, would you feel confident about the election? ., ., , you feel confident about the election?— election? you only feel confident _ election? you only feel confident when - election? you only feel confident when the - election? you only feel- confident when the election is over. ., ., ~ ,., confident when the election is over. ., ., ~ , ., over. fair enough. about you, lisa? the _ over. fair enough. about you, lisa? the trump _ over. fair enough. about you, lisa? the trump team - over. fair enough. about you, lisa? the trump team is - lisa? the trump team is protecting confidence. what you think the weak spots might be on day? i think the weak spots might be on da ? ~ , ., on day? i think they are protecting _ on day? i think they are protecting confidence, l on day? i think they are - protecting confidence, which is smart, — protecting confidence, which is smart, but not taking their foot— smart, but not taking their foot off _ smart, but not taking their foot off the pedal. this is why you see — foot off the pedal. this is why you see them out and about

through— you see them out and about through tuesday, and these voter— through tuesday, and these voter turnout models are in full swing. i think any good campaign consultant will say, you don't— campaign consultant will say, you don't take your foot off the gas, _ you don't take your foot off the gas, go, go, go into the last— the gas, go, go, go into the last poti— the gas, go, go, go into the last poll closes on election day — last poll closes on election da . ~ , ., ., last poll closes on election da. , ., ., day. we 'ust have about a minute day. we just have about a minute left, _ day. we just have about a minute left, but - day. we just have about a minute left, but same - day. we just have about a - minute left, but same question. what will you be looking out for in these final days before the election, stephanie? i’m the election, stephanie? i'm auoin to the election, stephanie? i'm going to be _ the election, stephanie? i“n going to be looking for more endorsements. i think that the unfortunate rally at madison square garden, where so many racist remarks is enough of it remarks... i think it's going to bring people out and i'm looking for that to continue. what about you, lisa? i looking for that to continue. what about you, lisa? i think we're past — what about you, lisa? i think we're past the _ what about you, lisa? i think we're past the point - what about you, lisa? i think we're past the point of - we're past the point of endorsements. i think if people haven't— endorsements. i think if people haven't decided yet, they're doing — haven't decided yet, they're doing their homework. they're not looking for someone to tell them _ not looking for someone to tell them how to vote, they're looking _ them how to vote, they're looking at how this will affect them — looking at how this will affect them. and i think that if people _ them. and i think that if people push policies through

tuesday, that's in their best interest _ tuesday, that's in their best interest. ~ ., ., tuesday, that's in their best interest. ., ., interest. moving on to some other news. _ at least 110 palestinians are now known to have been killed in israeli strikes on a residential building in beit lahia in northern gaza on tuesday — according to gaza's hamas—run health ministry. officials say 25 children are among those killed, and that several people are still missing. a spokesperson for the us called the attack "horrifying". israeli officials said their troops were unaware that displaced civilians were taking shelter inside the building when it was hit. on wednesday, the un security council quote, "strongly warned against any attempts to dismantle or diminish" the palestinian relief agency unrwa after israel's parliament passed a law banning it from operating inside israel. humanitarian agencies say the law could badly hinder aid deliveries to palestinians in gaza. the law is due to take effect 90 days after it was passed on monday. israel is under pressure to avoid civilian casualties and allow more humanitarian assistance into gaza. earlier this month, a letter

from the us was leaked, which demanded israel allow at least 350 aid lorries into gaza each day within 30 days or risk losing military assistance. our middle east regional editor sebastian usher sent this update. the us is that it has not received the answers at once over the strike that hit a five—storey building in northern gaza in beit lahia. hamas officials say at least 90 people are missing. the idf has spoken to the bbc to give. some explanation that was asked saying the troops spotted a man with binoculars on the roof of the building — what they called a spotter — and they made a decision on the spur of the moment to take individual out. they say they did not intend

for the building to collapse, but that it was not the target. this is perhaps a sign of how the israeli army operates in gaza and certainly something the us is expressing more and more concerned about. this is the biden administration. the us state department spokesman described the incident as horrifying. the us has given israel a 30—day deadline to improve not just the way its battle being fought in northern gaza and hamas, but also the dire humanitarian situation there within a 30—day deadline. and the us has said if things don't improve during that time, it may have an effect on the way the us supplies weapons to israel. lebanon's health ministry says at least 19 people have been killed in israeli air raids in two towns close to a historic city where suspected hezbollah infrastructure is located. thousands of lebanese residents evacuated baalbek before the israeli raids on wednesday. the city is home to the ruins of a roman—era temple

that are designated a unesco world heritage site. on wednesday, hezbollah's new leader warned against israel's military presence in lebanon. naim qassem gave his first address a day after being elected to run the group. he vowed to continue the plans of his predecessor hassan nasrallah, who was killed by an israeli strike last month. and he said the iran—backed group is acting in its own interest. translation: israel. doesn't need an excuse. it's for us to have a resistance with a defensive attack than to be waiting and doing nothing. waiting for israel to attack us and surprises in one way or another. our correspondent in beirut emir nader gave us an idea of what the mood an idea of what the mood is like on the ground is like on the ground in baalbek. in baalbek. today, we had the first today, we had the first evacuation order given evacuation order given by the israeli military by the israeli military for an entire lebanese city, for an entire lebanese city, the city of baalbek the city of baalbek and bekka valley, it is home and bekka valley, it is home and bekka valley. and bekka valley.

it's to over 100,000 people it's to over 100,000 people in the issue, the order came in the issue, the order came out at around 11am and just out at around 11am and just around three hours later, around three hours later, the air strikes began. the air strikes began. we managed to speak we managed to speak to the mayor of baalbek today, to the mayor of baalbek today, who told us within that period who told us within that period of around three hours, of around three hours, locals fled the city locals fled the city and scenes of panic but many and scenes of panic but many thousands chose to remain thousands chose to remain air strikes and those strikes for various reasons. for various reasons. he was insistent that baalbek — he was insistent that baalbek — yes, it's in the bekaa valley yes, it's in the bekaa valley which is a home to large which is a home to large support of hezbollah — support of hezbollah — but he says there was no but he says there was no weapons storage from weapons storage from the israeli military the israeli military for their part said the site for their part said the site they've been attacking they've been attacking in the bekaa valley today had in the bekaa valley today had given to them by iran, they say. given to them by iran, they say. but we have not had but we have not had any casualties so far, any casualties so far, but in the wider bekaa valley

area, reports of dozens injured or killed in israeli

to engage on issues including a diplomatic resolution in lebanon as well as how we get to an end to the conflict in gaza and other regional matters. and on thing that they will discuss is how we can find a diplomatic resolution that fully implements the un security council resolution 1701, something we have not seen over the past few years. andrew miller is a senior fellow at american progress & former deputy assistant secretary of state for israeli—palestinian affairs in the bureau of near eastern affairs at the us department of state. he told us about the impact of the strikes on humanitarian aid flows. i think the primary reason there has been a major reduction in humanitarian assistance is the nature of idf operations in gaza. they are primarily concentrated in northern gaza which was always difficult to access much more so than southern gaza for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. the idf is now in the position where they are notjust

conducting operations, but seeking to heavily regulate the movement of all individuals which has an impact on humanitarian aid flows as well. and my understanding is that it has reached such a point and my understanding is that it's reached such a point that we're at the precipice of famine once again, a concern we had several months ago. what obligation does israel have here as it's carrying out its operations in northern israel to ensure that the population there is served with assistance? well, israel does have obligations under international law to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided and civilians. israel also has obligations under the national security memorandum 28 that president biden issued which requires each recipient of us military aid to not only not restricted aid to not only not restrict the delivery of aid, but to actually facilitate it.

and given that virtually nothing is going through, it's very difficult to describe israel as a facilitating the delivery of aid. let me ask you about what israel is saying here, because the ambassador to the un said his country is going, quote, "above and beyond" its humanitarian obligations and blames hamas for stealing aid. has the us been able to prove that this is happening in a systematic fashion that would explain why there is not enough aid coming in? and so are criminal elements. outside of hamas, there are increasingly organised criminal operations that are looting the aid and selling it on the open market for profit. but that alone does not account for the near—complete axis of humanitarian aid being delivered. and un delivery of aid has always been more has always been more reliable than commercial delivery

and the delivery by other ngos. so, at the very least, un organisations should be able operate with a high degree of confidence that their goods, that their products are not going to be diverted. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the first case of a new strain of mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — has been detected in the uk. the patient, who had recently been on holiday in africa, developed flu—like symptoms and a rash afterflying home. the new outbreak appears to spread more easily between people, but authorities say the risk to the public remains low. train fares in england are to rise by 4.6% next year. the measures, which weren't announced in the budget, will also see the cost of rail cards go up by es. the changes come into force in march 2025. campaigners said the fare rises were a "kick in the teeth" for people who rely on public transport. and the england cricket captain

ben stokes says a masked gang of burglars broke into his home earlier this month while his wife and two children were there. stokes, who was away playing in pakistan, says his family didn't come to any physical harm. in a post on social media, he says "cherished possessions" have been taken, including his obe medal. you're live with bbc news. at least 95 people have died in flash floods that have devastated parts of southern and eastern spain. rescuers are still searching for the missing after mudslides and torrents of water swept away bridges and left cars piled up on each other. the valencia region received a year's worth of rain in eight hours on tuesday. and as you can see, more torrential downpours and flooding is expected as the week goes on. this is the picture going into thursday and friday. our climate editor justin rowlatt reports. these flash floods were truly apocalyptic. one town got a year's worth of rain injust eight hours.

just watch what happens to this bridge. shouting. these images have been widely shared on social media. there was little warning. one local mayor said the first flood alert was just half an hour before the torrent arrived. rescuers have been scrabbling to pluck people and their pets from the surging tide of filthy water all day. —— scrambling. just look at the wreckage the floods left in their wake. it is a terrifying reminder of the extreme weather climate change could bring, say scientists. we're seeing a warming climate, which holds more moisture in the atmosphere and we are seeing more severe storms happening more often. and this isn'tjust devastating floods that we've seen in southern spain, but also across the uk and other parts of the world. "the whole of spain weeps with you," the spanish prime minister told the families

of the missing this afternoon. the rescue effort will continue into the night. justin rowlatt, bbc news. our correspondent nicky schiller is in south eastern spain — and sent this update. iam in i am in valencia about 50 minutes in the airport, and as the children's play area that has been destroyed by the flood. the whole area has been covered by bamboo. the whole area has been covered by bamboo. the locals say on wednesday morning the water was deeper than i am tall, which is around two metres. and it's notjust the bamboo that you can see, but also big blocks of concrete has been moved by the force of this water. trees have been uprooted and you can also see here there are six cars that

have been damaged in this flooding. they have got their windscreens knocked out, and this is a scene that is happening all across this area where cars have been damaged, property has been damaged and locals are having to clear out. but this area, when we were driving here — and it took us about an hour and a half to do what should be a 15—minute journey — the actual roads were quite clear. you couldn't see that there had been flooding. it was here we got to this area near the river at that you saw the debris on the floor. it is the clear up operation that is going to be going on over the next few days — notjust here not just here but notjust here but across the region. let's turn to some other important news around the world... polls opened on wednesday in botswana's general election, with unemployment and the economy topping the list of concerns for many voters.